Unknown (POV)

  I jump, the air in my lungs suddenly getting cut off as something rams roughly into the side of my neck, a shout leaving unbidden from my mouth more from the surprise than pain.

My head automatically swings to the right, my neck partially restrained.

I'm suddenly looking into the darkest pair of blue orbs I've ever seen, a cowl hanging low over the figures head, efficiently hiding his face in the shadows.

My eyes quickly take in what little I can make up of his face, my own face probably the perfect picture of surprise.

  Smooth, slightly pale skin over a sharp jawline that compliments his striking eyes. Thin nose, obviously young.

  Who....?

  I watch as his eyes widen after taking my own face in, realization dawning within them.

  He abruptly pulls his arm away from me, standing back up from the slight crouch he was in.

  I swallow, bringing my right hand up to rub my sore neck, eyes never leaving his.

Something's...different about him. I just don't know what.

"Sorry, I didn't...." He trails off, obviously baffled and completely confused as-to what he should do.

  I make a face, still rubbing my neck as I cautiously stand up from my own crouch next to the rock.

  Okay. So what if I was following them? That's no reason to sneak up behind me and almost scare me to death while making me not breath.

  Uh, no way.

  "Yeah, you obviously didn't know." I shoot back, straightening my own light brown cloak as I glare up at him.

Yeah, yeah. So what if he has five or so inches on me.

  He simply arches a eyebrow up from underneath his cowl, barely perceptible from the deep shadow.

  I place my hands on my hips. "Maybe you should've-" I cut myself off as a shape abruptly appears from inside the woods from the corner of my eye, my attention immediately switching to that.

"Ack!" I jump back against the rock, practically trying to climb up on top of it as that transparent shape suddenly becomes a something.

  My jaw falls slack in despair as a colossal white wolf steps out from the darkness of the woods, its ears flat against its head as it walks slowly forward.

  A white wolf with....blue markings?

  Wait. Wolves don't have markings on them unless they're....

  My eyes land back on the cloaked mystery figure - who's yet to move despite my sudden chicken behavior, not even glancing back.

"It's fine, Ron." The stranger mutters, his voice deep and masculine.

  My eyes widen as the wolf creature's head lifts up, ears perking as he looks towards the guy-person-stranger/mystery....thing.

  What?!

  He walks a few steps closer, sitting his rump down beside this person's feet. Head towering to his hip.

  But that's a, a...Delgaran wolf!

  I find myself unconsciously studying it, my body slowly sliding down from the large rock.

  I never, ever expected to see one of these. And yet, it couldn't be anything else.

The guy studies me a few seconds longer without a word, face and eyes as stony as can be.

  Fine. You may have the huge wolf mister stranger, but I've got......What do I have?

  "Callon! Is everything alright?" A old sounding voice unexpectedly yells from over yonder, and I know exactly who it belongs to.

  Ah, so this is where the third party member disappeared to. I should've probably put that together a little sooner to be honest.

  Cue the embarrassed laughter.

  Callon huh?....Rare name......So why does it sound oddly familiar in a way....

  The guy lets a long breath out, seeming to roll his eyes as he turns his head around to face his left.

  "Coming." He mumbles to himself - though I think it was directed to the old voice, looking slightly annoyed.

  He doesn't give me another glance, simply walking past me towards the group of people. The wolf stares at me a second longer, titling his head to the side.

  I raise an eyebrow up at it-him.

  He shakes his head out, standing back up on all fours before trotting by me in the same direction as Callon.

  Was it just me, or did it look like he had a amused smile on his muzzle?

  Shaking my head at myself, I gather my one bag of belongings back up, pulling it over my left shoulder before quickly booking it out towards them.

  I'm not waisting my chance anymore!

  I enter the clearing, two more sets of eyes landing on me. Both shorter in stature than the first guy.

  Callon stands next to the bearded one, arms crossed as he stares out to the side. Completely ignoring the other two's confused expressions.

  The wolf - Ron? - sitting next to Callon's feet once more.

  Something clicks.

  Now way! He can't have a Delgaran wolf as his spirit animal. That's like, that's like....awesome...And completely unfair by the way.

  The other short one - a female, speaks up, her eyes on me.

  "Uh, and who exactly is this?" She directs the question at Callon, something in her voice telling me these two don't get along well.

  Seriously? Is this the best he can do for recruits? No wonder we're losing so badly if we have a bunch of squabbling youths on our side.

  "It's the girl." Callon simply states in a duh voice, making me think he's one of those laid back kinda tough guys.

  Before anyone else can interrupt, I eliminate the few feet of space between me and the bearded guy, going down in a traditional greeting gesture as I pull my cowl down.

  One knee, left arm up to right shoulder, hand fisted with head bowed down.

  "Torion Crimsonghast, former royal wizard of Orelon castle." I greet. "My name is Dare Farrell, I come to you seeking permission to accompany you to Uirphen island so I may pledge myself to the resistance and help free our land." I list off, not a waver in my voice.

  I've practiced too many times in the mirror for that.

  It goes stone cold quiet.
 
  Torion lets a slow breath out, his staff moving as he switches his handhold.

  He touches my left shoulder, making me look up at him. "Rise, child. There's no need for such formalities." His soft smile loosens the worry in my chest.

  The other two stare at Torion with confusion, making me look at them in confusion.

  What's with them? Surely they already knew all this about the great Torion Crimsonghast? Why else would they be traveling with him except to join the group of resistance.

  He is one of the main recruiters.

  His eyebrows furrow, a distant look growing in his eyes. "Farrell, Farrell." He muses to himself, completely ignoring the other two.

  "Quite the unique name...." His eyes light up. "Your father wasn't part of the royal guard twelve years ago was he?"

I smile, a stab of sadness hitting my chest despite my outer appearance.

  "Yes, sir." I nod, standing back up.

  "Great soldier, I had the honor of meeting him a few times." Torion praises, making me glow in pride.

  He was.

  Torion motions me onwards, continuing on his way. His horse walking obediently on his other side. "But tell me, why do you, a young flourishing girl, want to pledge yourself to the resistance?" He questions, glancing over at me.

  I swing my arms as we walk, highly aware that the other two - plus the wolf,  are following behind from four feet.

  "Well, sir." I start with. "My father served this land to his death," I glance down at the snow covered ground. "and I want to follow in his footsteps."

  I look back up, the words I usually can't find now coming up like I've rehearsed this more than my opening sentence.

  "Because I want to see this land returned to its formal beauty and prosperity."

~~~~
Callon's (POV)

  I stare at the back of Dare's - what type of name is that anyway? - platinum blonde head, her words she just said repeatedly going off in my mind.

  "Because I want to see this land returned to its formal beauty and prosperity."

  Maybe it's the way she said it; not a flinch in her features, not a crack in her voice. Completely serious.

   She wants to pledge herself to a resistance? That resistance Grim told us a little about, the one that's trying to stop the evil king guy.

  Speaking of Grim, when did he neglect to tell us he was a royal wizard?

  He's going to have a lot more explaining to do. Though I feel like that's all we've been doing lately.

  And who'd have thought the waiter from yesterday - the girl that kept staring over at us, would follow us for almost a half a day just to talk to Grim and-

  Wait, he's not actually going to let her come....right?

  But one glance at the side of his face, and I know all bets are off.

  "I accept, you may accompany us. Though you don't have any family members that disagree with your choice?" Grim glances back over at her.

  Dare shakes her head, long hair swinging with the movement. "No, Nigel took me in after my mother passed. He's known I've been waiting to do this." She informs, looking sideways at him.

  And Roxie and I get zero say in this, of course.

  Roxie rolls her eyes in annoyance, blowing a huff out as she crosses her arms.

  I couldn't agree more.

  Ron brushes up against my leg, my hand unconsciously reaching down - though it's not far, to brush over his back.

  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't getting a little attached.

  I stare at Dare's back, probably making her uncomfortable - not that I care. That bewildered expression that was plastered across her face when she turned to face me at the rock flashing before my eyes for some reason.

  Great. Does this mean I can't take my hood off unless I want her to know who I am since Dark Elves are apparently very...distinguishable?

  Peachy, just peachy.

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A/N

   Heya guys! So you've finally met another one of the main characters! (Her picture is up top if you don remember from the character list in the beginning.)

  Sorry for the overdue update, I had it written up two days ago but I was too busy to get around with editing and putting it up. I actually just went and got my wisdom teeth (all four) out yesterday morning. I was out pretty much all day yesterday, and I was sick last night, then today I feel a little better. (though I haven't really eaten anything) So yeah, that's why I missed updating two of my other books this week. (I updated The Underdog twice and now this one)

  Hehe, lets just say it wasn't a pleasant experience. 😆

Questions:

  1.) What's your impression of Dare?

2.) Did you like part of the chapter in someone else's POV?

3.) Were you expecting the the server of all people to

  So yeah, I'll most likely be giving her (and maybe even Roxie) a turn every now and then. 👌🏻

  VOTE!! (Please!!) Comment away!

Next update: Maybe next week sometime. I'm not entirely sure. Depends on how I'm feeling and if I get my other two books updated.

Ttfn,
Maggy