Malenia looks more than a little confused, first by the somewhat hasty deicision my Judal to leave the newly reformed group. Now by the action of Stasoyla. Looking up at the Centuar, who is holding the symbol of the AURYN just out in front of her. Her emeralds hues almost seems to dim at the prospect of carrying the AURYN, the weight of such a thing. "What of you? Will you not journey with us?" The Jedi look's a little disheartened. Perhaps this was not the reunion she had sought for after all. "I would accept the responsibility of the AURYN, and the task set out to to me. Yet I wonder what would become of you, who had bore the AURYN for so long." 

Stasolya departed, her new path, her own way now laid out before her.  She galloped off when she was done saying her goodbyes beneath the constellation of Vezhoff that the Dothraki had been riding beneath in the weeks of near limitless twilight that had engulfed Hyboria and was gone, leaving the rest of Andromeda's Answer alone in the Great Grass Sea with Princess Zelda, the little girl upon which Atreyu and Gandalf had attached enormous importance.  

They were escorted out of Vaez Dothrak shortly after that by half a dozen confused Dothraki warriors, all of which were stern but confused, unsure of how these newcomers had been brought to the strange tent city of the Dothraki.  They walked past the dancing and reveling, drinking, swilling mobs, the rowdy partying, the trading booths, and were released unharmed into the night, into the browning ocean of grass that sustained the horse warriors mounts.  They didn't say any goodbyes or even have much to say at all; the gate opened, the guards let them out, and then the gates closed.  

"I guess we're on our own now."  Zelda said gently, looking over her shoulder one last time at the tent city that had kept her safe since she'd fled Hyrule Castle.  "I don't know how to get to Bavmorda from here.  We could go back to King's Landing?  There'll be ships.  I guess we're going to Bavmorda?  Is that what we're doing?"  

The little girl seems to recognize the power of the AURYN Medallion bestowed upon Malenia, and reaches out to take her hand...

     Staying close but deprecate from the group as they’re escorted out, Judal-hound stays wary and watchful.  Even if the Dothraki would not be hostil there is still a lot of hooves that could accidentally trample and kick.  So the outskirts it is.

     Outside the tent city he relaxed and edges closer.  Perhaps they’ve spotted him, perhaps not.  He’s been cautious but not deliberately hiding.  After the young girl takes Malenia’s hand and mentions Bavmorda, Judal-hound twists and turns and shifts into just Judal once more.  He coughs.  Twice.  The first comes out as almost a bark, the second far less so.

     “Well eyes of course Bavmorda should be our target,” Judal agrees.  “She is a plague and a cancer upon all. Perhaps, and I only say perhaps, she is not the greatest threat…  But she is a threat which makes all others worse.”

Solemnly, the centaur places the AURYN around Malenia's neck. "Of me... I have only ever been the servant of the Childlike Empress. My clan served her, and I carry on their legacy. I go where she calls me. I go where her servants command me. I am a soldier in the fight for Hyboria... and she has called me elsewhere now. But I go with you in spirit, Malenia, for your way has shown you the path I trod. The path of virtue, of courage, of humility, of perseverance. We fight side-by-side for the Childlike Empress and for Hyboria, even if many miles separate us." Stasolya smiles, placing her hand in reverence on the AURYN that now lays on Malenia's breast. "Go now, AURYN-Bearer. Free the maidens. Restore the royal order. Protect your sacred charges. Lelith will guard Zelda. Judal will fight Bavmorda. Andromeda will be freed once more. And Thea... well, the sun will one day rise again."

The centaur nods in farewell to Lelith. "I leave Princess Zelda in your charge. I know you will guard her with all your powers, even your life itself."

She then embraces Thea. "Long I have traveled in your service, fair maiden, hope of Hyboria. If you have need of me, you have but to call. One day, we shall gallop together again under the stars."

The centaur slings her bagpipes behind her, and checks the straps on her saddlebags. Her hooves lift from the ground, the magical shoes nailed to them flashing in the dim starlight. As the Dothraki start to move towards the group, Stasolya bows once more, facing Malenia and the AURYN. "Farewell, Andromeda's Answer! For the Childlike Empress!" And she gallops away, faster than any Dothraki horseman.

As Stasolya mentioned Lelith's role in guarding Zelda, there was a flicker of acknowledgment in her eyes. It was a begrudging acceptance of her responsibility, a commitment to protect the princess even if their interactions were tinged with tension.

But when it was her turn to acknowledge Stasolya's departure, Lelith couldn't bring herself to speak words of warmth or gratitude. Instead, she scoffed lightly and offered a half-smile, her way of masking her true emotions. "Well, I suppose one less set of hooves around won't be missed," she remarked in her usual aloof tone, though a keen observer might detect a subtle undercurrent of reluctant respect in her words. Lelith didn't dislike Stasolya as much as she outwardly portrayed, she hated to admit.

The Brass fingers of her prosthetic hand curls into the outstretched hand of the Child beside her, Malenia feigns a warm smile down upon the child. Externally she was as she always was, a Picture of stoic determination. A Her emotionless features only creeping open to offer the fake smile to the child at her side. "To Bavmorda..." She tug's on the Rein's of her new companion, Drawing it closer to them. 

"Would you like to ride atop Kazu? You would be the first Princess." Taking a knee in front of Zelda, Malenia's long fae ears twitched when she heard the first cough of Judal. A sigh of relief left her, for a moment she thought the answer had reunited just to seperate again. Yet......perhaps that was the fate of Andromeda's answer. It had seemed for sometime that the group was never meant to be, Member's had come and gone. So many that she barely remember the face's of the original people who comprised the group. Yet now, Stasoyla. The only other remaining person who had witnessed the Krakens assault, had left. Bequeathing the AURYN and the responsibility to the Jedi. 

Scooping her hands under the arms of the young Princess, Malenia would gently rest the child atop the proud Avian creature. This time offering a more sincere smile to her. Zelda was her charge now, Her responsibility....As was Andromeda.

"Let's be off then." She looked to each member individually with a new sense of appreciation for who was standing beside her. Her fellow Fae, Both of the Winter court. Who had freshly introduced her to a Home she never knew she had.....one she wished to know more of....and perhaps return to when her journey is over. 

A Sky Jumper, who followed her to her home. Where she found her answers....and lost what was her closest friend. Her mind drifted to the bow, sat within the bag slung over her shoulder. 

And Thea, She still remembered very vividly the feeling of dread, of wrath when she witnessed Vader strike down her friend. Stasoyla was right about one thing, Thea was the light of Hyboria. 

     Judal turns around to look in the direction of the Dothraki which had escorted them out of Vaez Dothrak.  "Umm, I don't suppose anyone thought to ask them if we could purchase some horses?" Judal asks everyone and nobody.  "The bird is fair enough for Malenia and the kid but it'll be tough for the rest of us to keep up..."

     "Even if we do know which direction to go?" He asks this last hopefully, twisting to look at Malenia with a raised brow.

There were a few times Thea couldn’t help but shift uncomfortably; glance up and down from her feet; and open her mouth only to quickly close it without actually sharing a word. At a few points she even felt herself start to reach out for comfort; for the princess’ hand; to pet the ‘puppy’… only to stop herself when it’d be too late any way. And well, she knew they weren’t a puppy… Thea holds her hands to her chest. All she could do was look on with wide eyes, and blink as she processed. Of course she had returned Stasoyla’s embrace, however long it was, but time has its way of warping things to feel brief and fleeting because before Thea knew it, Stasoyla was gone. Thea was still just there following the motions, a bit stunned with a hint of a little loss at what to suggest besides tag along as they’re escorted out. She’d chew on her bottom lip.

But they knew what direction to go.  North.  Back toward King's Landing.  There was one clear path out of Hylia, and that was to hit the docks at the capitals well guarded shipping port.  Well, what had once been a well guarded shipping port.  They trekked through well warn paths that had been beaten into the Great Grass Sea, traversing the lanes traveled by the Dothraki for trine untold.  

"The first princess to ride Kazu..."  Zelda had marveled, unsure of what exactly to say or do in the context of this rare honor but excited nonetheless.  She reaches up, stroking the birds bright plumage, and watches as he changes colors; dark purple to light pink, then shifting to light blue...

They rode for nearly a week before the distant lights of King's Landing came into focus.  Princess Zelda seemed to perk up as she laid eyes on a city she was familiar with...but she also looked nervous.  Unsure if she should return to the lands she loved after having just fled.  

Up ahead, in the distance, perhaps half a mile or so, something, or many something's, are briefly illuminated as they move against the backdrop of the city lights...

     Judal squints and looks into the distance to try to make out what he can of what is ahead. (Perception 18) - there is something there, but what?  Are they man sized?  Larger?

     “You want to fly ahead and take a look?” Judal asks.  “But perhaps better I go ahead on four legs and scout?  The bird would be quicker but I think I can be a bit less obvious?”

Malenia smiles softly at the childs bewilderment, The marvel laced within her sparkling eye's lit a fire within the Jedi. A sense of purpose burns through her, This girl had such a weight on her shoulders. She is the Princess of Hyrule and if Atreyu is to be believed, an important aspect in the future of Hyboria.....yet she is still just a Child. Unknowingly a subconcious urge to protect the child would develop within Malenia during their travels. Ensuring the child was warm and always fed, refusing to eat until Zelda had eaten her fill. During the nights, After her Mediative state. She would sit beside the slumbering Zelda, Ensuring Kazu slept next to her so that she may be warm. 

Twice she took to the air with Zelda, reveling in the sense of freedom her newfound companion would give her. Kazu proved to be rather mild in temperment, as if sensing Malenia's own personality. Allowing Malenia to give Zelda a few moments of wonder during these flights, Letting the child feel the wind flow through her hair and gaze on the land below them. Of course she never went out of sight of the others during these flights. Knowing that Zelda's safety was the priority. 

Spotting the lights of the city before the others, largely due to her keen vision. Malenia placed a hand on Zelda's shoulder as they both rode atop Kazu, smiling down softly at the child. "You have no need to worry Princess, You will be safe. I promise." Before turning her attention to Judal. 

Gazing at the illuminated objects before the light fades (Perception check: 15, Passive perception: 23) 

"I think flight may be an option.....Yet Im wary of bringing Kazu so close to the city, Does this place have any sort of weaponry that can harm a flying creature? Even one so fast as Kazu?" Malenia pulls on the Reins around Kazu, bringing the large bird to a halt. "Do you believe you could manage it Judal? You would be on your own and we do not know what exactly we are facing here." 

     "No problem," Judal says with all the undeserved confidence in the world while flashing an award winning smile.  "I'll just get a bit closer and then get my sneak on."

     And unless there are any last minute cries of better ideas, Judal starts jogging toward the something (or many somethings...).  He will try to be stealthy and sneaky the entire way but will grow more and more cautious the closer he gets.  He doesn't transform into his hound form just yet... He does have a tendency to forget how shortly he really can maintain that form until he wants to use it.  Still, he can be stealthy on two feet too... Sometimes.  And the four legs good for escape if needed.

Stealth:  meh...  10

Thea catches herself craning her neck and squinting at the something’s in the distance. She checks herself, adjusting her posture while the others chatter around her. She can’t help but shift uncomfortably from creeping lack of confidence. Feeling so unsure, she glances down at her feet to avoid eye contact. Thea wiggles her toes in her boots. Her boots. Winged boots! “Uh, um…” Thea clears her throat as she goes to raise her hand. “Oh.” When she’d look up, the man had already bound off, shifting to scout ahead. “I can fly…” She squeaks meekly and quietly, much too late. 

Riair had been quiet for some time, ever since the group's encounter with the Winter Queen. Though the wizard had oft been in contact with Her Royal Majesty, as a courtier and tutor to one of her family, but it was rare to see her so enraged. It had been unsettling, to say the least, and the scene had rattled the fae for quite some time.

The scholar had been deep in contemplation, flying above the rest of Andromeda's Answer on his disc as they traveled to King's Landing. As they approached, the fey chronurgist strains his eyes, attempting to discern the nature of the strange lights in the distance (Perception: 11, passive 15). Below, he is mildly amused by Judal's impulsive haste; had he waited slightly, the magic-user in blue could have provided an invisibility effect to bolster the bard's attempt at sneaking.

     Judal gets close enough to make out... Something?  Man sized... Man shaped... But odd.  Lurching.  Shambling.  

     There are...  Judal looks down for a moment, counting on his fingers...  Nine!  Nine of them.  Wounded.  Seemingly all of them.  Severely.  A few wearing the armor of samurai, one faintly, barely but definitely still, glowling red.  They seem mindless.  Aimless.  And having a bad time of it all the same.  Judal presses his luck and crawls through the tall grass hoping to get close enough to spy them with his Eldritch Sight and see if it is indeed magics that keep them so... animated.  

     They see him.  They turn.  All of them.  And they start moving in his direction.  But it's a shambling move.  It's not that scary...  Surely Judal has plenty of time to get away.  He waits.  And waits.  Waits until they get within range so he can make out that indeed they are surrounded and infused with necromantic magics.  They are dead.  Animated... err, reanimated corpses.  And the red glowy one...  They look a bit scarier than the rest.  Judal decides he'd prefer not to mess with these things...  At least not alone.

     Judal concentrates a moment and a fog grows around him.  Not just him, but a twenty foot area around him heavily obscuring the area.  Time to beat a retreat, he thinks to himself and turns on his heel and does just that.  Judal takes one step in the fog he has created and steps out thirty feet further away from the zombies, Misty Step'ing his way towards his companions and hopefully losing his new friends.  If not then perhaps he can keep ahead of the shambling forms with just his own natural endurance and speed.  If not... He always has the four footed option of additional speed.

     “So…  Zombies,” Judal announces upon his return.  “I’m new to the area but I’m guessing they’re not the welcoming party we were hoping for?”

     Judal then lays out the details that there was nine in the group he saw, all shambling and covered in a Necromatic magical aura that was surely animating them.  “They seemed pretty aimless til they spotted me, but I lost them easy enough,” he recounts, as well as one had a reddish glow about them.  “Not sure what was up with that.”

As Judal describes what he saw ahead, there is a rumbling moan that crawls across the plain, low but audible...then punctuated by some sort of soul stopping scream...

     “That?” Judal exclaims turning towards the direction of the noise (or just around) and then quickly back to the group.  “That’s not my fault!”

     “I don’t even KNOW what that is!” He insists.

     “Like I said:  Zombies; Necromancy; Red Glow or Hue; Didn’t Follow Me!” 

Lelith's brow furrowed as she listened to Judal's exclamation about what happened. She recognized the urgency in his voice and turned her gaze in the direction he had indicated, scanning the surroundings briefly before returning her attention to the group. That struck a cord of recognition in her memory. She has fought them before back in the Lon Lon Ranch with the now lost Twilight Embers. "They're Redead," she affirmed, her voice was chilly to the ear. "And you're right; the Redead are particularly dangerous. We should be cautious."

Eyebrow raised, Riair questions Lelith. "Redead, you say? How would these differ from more conventional forms of undead? If, perhaps, these are as formidable as Her Highness insists, we should perhaps plan a path to avoid them."