The townspeople gathered just underneath the stone stairs, it was now noon, and the sun had burned through the morning mist. Yet there was still a slight chill in the air. The townspeople chatted amongst themselves, wondering why Gaywn had called them. Guards were dotted through the crowds and five lines the bottom of the stairs so that no one would try and climb them. Killian, Eliot, Aymer and Wayne all stood at the top of the stairs to the right-hand side of the large landing. Three other guards stood around the top of the landing as well. The doors to the manor opened, and Gaywn was the first to walk out, he walked over to the top of the stairs where he looked down at the people below.

His armour was large and defensive, large pauldrons covered his shoulders, and rerebraces covered his arms. The metal his armour used was old and battle-worn, but still frightful. Gaywn lifted his right hand to hush the crowds below them. The chatter from before had disappeared entirely. Gaywn stepped to the side as the door to the manor opened again. This time Aldith walked out. Her head was high as she made her way to where Gaywn had just stood.

"King Jehanel is dead. You may have heard he passed to the halls of our gods before he could produce an heir. But they are not true," Aldith called down to them, she lifted her right hand where the royal ring now sat on top of her fingerless leather glove. "He did leave behind an heir, I am King Jehanel's heir" You could hear the gasping from the crowd below. 

"I want the Kingdoms to know of my claim to the throne! I will take back what Dorgoth has stolen from us!" Aldith called out. The crowd began to grow energized with her power and enthusiasm. "To take back the throne I need help for the best warriors I know of, that is why I hereby revoke the agreement of the Bloodsong. I will gather up the warriors of the Bloodsong and together, with your help; we will take back what is rightfully our!" Aldith yelled before the crowd cheered with her. 

"Prepare your weapons and armour! For in 10 days we go to war!" Aldith yelled above the crowd, and this made them cry out more.

"Long live the Queen!" Gaywn called down before everyone in the area followed suit, They chanted over and over before Aldith turned around and walked back into the manor. Followed by Gaywn and the others. 

"Are the horses ready?" Aldith asked Gaywn who walked next to her. "Yes," 

"Good, we must leave now if we want to reach Lelindell before sunup tomorrow," Aldith informed them all. Gaywn took led and took them to the stables around the corner and away from the crowds. There was a total of five horses saddles and ready with supplied needed for their journey. Aldith was the first to mount followed by the others. Gaywn looked to Wayne who stood watching them.

"I entrust Doondin hill to you. Eight days from now you must ride out and meet us at the North field." Gaywn told while Wayne nodded in understanding. "Until then my brother." 

"Until my Lord," Wayne said as they then pushed their horses into a trot to get out of the town.

"Lady Aldith, what exactly is this Bloodsong guild?" Aymer asked curiously as they rode their horses west of the city. Aldith looked to Gaywn and sighed, 

"The Bloodsong is a group of eight warriors. They were the most feared guild in all kingdoms and were called upon by Kings and Queens to complete missions next to impossible. Gaywn was on a mission twenty-four years ago, where he found a babe abandoned in the hills of Teranora; she was left to die. But he took her in and the Bloodsong became her family. They feed her, taught her how to read and write, trained her in many styles of combat. She grew up going on quests and missions with Gaywn and the others, and she became known and the Blood child." Aldith told them,

"Nearly six years ago, the Bloodsong guild was betrayed by one of their members. He tried to assassinate King Jehanel but ultimately failed. King Jehanel knew that the actions of one did not reflect the actions of the other seven. But the people of the Kingdom needed to see action taken. So the remaining seven of the Bloodsong signed an agreement that the guild would disband and could not regroup unless a member of the royal family revoked the agreement." Aldith told them as their horses walked around the edge of a forest. "They all then went their separate ways. I haven't seen anyone of them since, until Gaywn here."

"So who is the Blood Child then?" Aymer asked curiously, "Aldith, she is the Blood child."

"So the King abandoned her?" Killian asked with surprise.

"That, we don't know, but we wholeheartedly believe that the King had no idea of my abandonment." Aldith explained to them, "But I may never find out now." She said as he looked up to the sky. "But I have a family, Gaywn and the others."

"But wait, who is the one who tried to assassinate the King?" Eliot asked as it had been a question circling his head since Aldith mentioned it. 

"Dorgoth." 

"What? You mean Dorgoth as in the one who just killed the King and stole your throne." Aymer half yelled. "Do you not think that would have been a good idea to tell us before all this? Do you not think we had a right to know what we were getting ourselves into?"

"Yes, you do. But I had to be sure first, I had to know that Gaywn would stand by me." Aldith told them, "You could have told us regardless." 

"No! I couldn't have. If Gaywn didn't agree this mission would have become a suicide mission. Gaywn is the lead of the Bloodsong and the others would only follow if he joined us." Aldith told them. "If he refused to join us, then I would have left without you. I couldn't risk your kingdom's crowned prince as well." Aldith told them, "That would not have been your decision to make." Killian told her with a bit of anger hiding behind it. 

They all fell into a deep silence for a while as the treks their way through fields, around the edges of forests and through flowing rivers. The sun had slowly begun to sink before the horizon and Gaywn decided it would be best for them to rest for the night and for food. They made camp just a little bit in from the edge of a wooded area. Aymer had built the fire and began to cook the meal while Eilot had taken the saddles off the horses. Aldith and Gaywn and walked to the edge of the wooded area where there was a large field. 

"Well, Aldith. Or should I say, Queen Aldith." Gaywn smirked and chuckled to her. Aldith laughed with a large smile. "Enough Gaywn," Aldith told him, 

"Come on, let see how well your skills with that sword are. Have they stayed sharp? Or have they dulled with the luxury palace life you have lived for five years?" Gaywn asked as he pulled out his small sword while Aldith pulled out her sword. 

"It's been a while since we sparred, I've missed it." Aldith smiled as she readied herself. Gaywn smirked and he made the first move. and the clash of two swords echoed through the air. This caught the attention of the others, Killian and Eilot rushed to make sure Aldith and Gaywn were okay. When they got to the edge of the wooded area they saw Gaywn and Aldith fighting. They watched as the two fought equally in strength. Sparks flying from the connecting of two metals, dirt flung in the air as kicks were thrown and swords were dragged through the ground. 

"Dinner's ready," Aymer called as he appeared from the wooded area. Aldith and Gaywn stop fighting immediately and they walked over towards the trio, smiling and laughing. 

"Thanks, Aymer," Aldith said as they walked back to the campsite for the rest of the night.