Phoenix lay, belly up on the white sand of the beach, her arms behind her head and the sun warming her face. Her eyes were closed but she spoke on every exhale.

"So there's this war fellas," she said surpressing a yawn, "And apparently there's a side to take." She stretched and sat up looking at her group of 25 rogues. There was a smalll light in her eyes as she spoke, "Now obviously we steal and spy and... well... you know... but we aren't some evil sons of bitches either." The men laughed at her bluntness, some pushing each other playfully.

"So I say... let the leaders of each side come to us... tell US why our muscle bound group should join their side." Her voice rung free across the water to all the land around them... her challange echoing throught Arda.

"And now we wait for their arrival...."

Tulkas' ship had finally docked near the cost off Palanen Ocean. A small boat with only himself and those that had chosen to aid him against Raku had come ashore to Haudhiaur. They made a small camp not far from where he was, and he now ventured out alone in search of dry wood to start a fire. Thus far he had only a few menium sized branches. But he wasn't really focused on the task at hand, he was enjoying the cool breeze. He closed his eyes and let the air blow across his burning eyelids. Stopping, he looked out across the ocean. There were no bodies of water as grand as this, and it took his breath away.

He got back up after a time, and looked to the woods. Somewhere in there was the great tribe of centaurs that he had come to speak to... Finally, he turned his mind back to gathering the much needed wood. Walking further down the soft white beach, he spotted a small group of people upon the sand. He would be within hearing range of them shortly.

The rogues looked around questioningly as if to say "so where are these guys" without talking. Phoenix remained relaxed, on her back in the sand, the gentle breeze sweeping a strand of hair over her face.

She opened her eyes with a jolt, hearing the two sharp whistles from the scout, meaning, "stranger." She sat up and looked around her, her rogues already up on their feet, hands over their daggers, swords and other weapons.

"Be gently guys," she said softly, "he may be one of them..."

Tulkas heard two whistles that were obviously some kind of signal. He shrugged to himself. He meant no harm and was not out to hide from anyone, so he did not mind if others saw him. He spotted a nice dry stick along the course and stopped to pick it up. Taking his leisurely time he continued slowly towards them.

Phoenix got toher feet and shook her head vigorously, sand spraying over her somewhat weary rogues.

"Oye you!" She pitched her voice, letting it carry to the knight easily. "What are you doing here? Coming to answer that summon of ours?"

She smiled, her teeth flashing a pearl white and her hair whipping in the breeze behind her head.

"Well M'lady, that depends on who you are looking for." he called back to her smiling. He was here to speak to speak with the centaurs, but also to speak to a group of people about fighting for him. He wan't sure that this was the group, so he wanted to keep all details of his intent vague for now.

One of the rogues stood and crossed his arms over his chest, moving to stand beside Phoenix. "We are awaiting the arrival of some of the war leaders," Remy said logically, his eyes strong on the man, his body close in protection of Phoenix.

The young rogue smiled and nodded vigorously.

Tulkas finally reached the group. He immediately recognized the woman. He bowed to her, then spoke. "And I do believe that we have met before, in the Grasslands. I have come to answer your summon." He addressed the rest of the group that knew not his name. "I am Tulkas, Knight of the Moon and leader of the Light Encampment."

She let a smile dance on her lips and she leaned over to punch her rogue friend softly. "I told you he'd come," she mumbled, the other rogues raising an eyebrow surprised.

She looked to the man and leaned herself up against a palm tree. "So Sir Knight," she said softly, "why should the likes of us rogues fight for the good of the world?"

Tulkas smiled charmingly at her. He did that a lot, smiling. He couldn't really help himself though... "Well fair lady, I believe that you would be an excellent spy for our side. With your ability to shapeshift you could disguise yourself as an orc or even a dragon and get inside the dark stronghold. Also, I do not see you as the type that enjoys killing and violence simply for the sake of pleasure, am I correct? I have a higher opinion of you than that." Kill them with kindness, that was his motto.

The rogues were jesting amungst themselves hitting each other playfully and laughing, until he mentioned her shipeshifting. They all turned their heads to look at him, suddenly grown weary.

Remy and Phillipe were immediatly on either side of her with hands hovering over their dagger hilts. Phoenix just burstout laughing as she gazed over her suddenly somber crew. "Guys, guys, he knows alright!"

Phillipe looked at her with wide eyes and mouthed that they would talk of this later. Remy just shook his head with a sigh.

"So what do you offer, us rogues of Arda? What do we earn by fighting? Good spies or no, we won't die for no reason..." She resumed her spot leaning against the palm tree. At least he doesn't know of my place in the rogues.... does he?

Tulkas couldn't understand why him mentioning her ability would rouse them so, and he politely overlooked their grab for their arms. What could he offer them? He had influence on the moon, but he doubted that they woud be interested in anything that wasn't on this planet. There was pay involved, but he was pretty sure that they would want more than the usual going rate. He could sweeten the pot for them, it just depended on what they wanted. "Well fair lady, the rate per day for you would be more than a mere footsoldier. Would 70 gold a day per member of your group be adequate? All costs for supplies would be covered as well. Are there other requests, or is this offer to yur satisfaction?"

Phillipe, one of the chevaliers on her left crossed his arms stiffly over his chest and snuffed. "70 gold?" he said with a raised brow, "70 gold for the best spies and theives in all of Arda? And for the-" He looked at Phoenix who shook her head subtly, he then knew the knight knew not of her position with the rogues. He continued to scoff at the genture making obscene comments and jests and getting yells of agreement and laughter from his fellow mates.

Remy just shook his head and moved forward to approach the Knight directly. "We will take 80 gold each, 100 for M'lady," he said motioning with his head to Phoenix.

She stepped up and added in, "As well as having our records wiped clean." She gave an innocent smile and moved to stand beside Remy, using him as her new leaning post. He was stiff and unmoving, if anything more comfortable, with her weight non-chalantly against him.

"Thieves? Records? Of this I know nothing, and I am afraid that I cannot help you there." Tulkas thought for a moment. So they were thieves? He had not expected that. They were still spies however, and he needed them. "As for the amount that you are asking, wars are not quick and It could be years before we see the end of this war At those prices you would be making nearly 100,000 gold a year in pure profit for all of your food, weapons, and supplies are payed for. Do spies always live in the lap of luxury?." That was four and five times the usual rate. He was very wealthy, but even this price was too much for him for only three people. "I will go as high as 80 gold a day each."

Phoenix looked at the rogues around her who shrugged and gave a mutal nod. "Alright, that's fine. 80 gold a day." She extended her hand for them to shake before Phillipe knocked it away.

"I don't think it's fair that she get paid the same as all of us. She is much more... useful." He chose his words closely, staring into the eyes of the knight.

"nonsense, its alright," Phoenix sighed. She looked at the rogues and they all tried mumbling some kind of agreement with Phillipe. "It is ALRIGHT," she persisted, extended her hand to shake the white knights.

"If teh dark side gives us the better offer, I'll send word. But right now, we are you ears int he shadows." She smiled mischeiviously.

Just to make sure, he didn't put his hand out just yet. "So our agreement on the price is set, and if you are given an offer from Raku, you will tell me before you accept? What about privacy until I am notified?"

Famine slowly galloped on his warg across the sandy beach of Haudhiaur Island, with fifteen of his strongest men. Famine had many more men back at the desert, but the ones he traveled with are the ones he trusts the most. The Desert Faction had been recruiting strong warriors for the Dark Armies of Raku, and so far, hadn't gotten many to volunteer. All of the people feared Raku, and Famine for that matter. So, everyone he encountered so far had been eventually killed.
"If this is what the human race has to offer, then this war will be a short one." Famine said to the soldier next to him.
"Indeed it will be!" the soldier replied, "I expect the opposition to be slaughtered at the first battle!"
"I wouldn't be that suprised..." The demon stated looking out at the shore. Famine returned his sights ahead of him. He began to notice some figures in the distance.
"It would seem there are some possible recruits." Famine said as he picked up pace with his spear drawn. As he and his men got closer and closer, Famine recognized one man from a fight he had had earlier.
"The paladin!" The demon shouted. His men automatically drew their spears and swords. The word paladin only meant trouble for the Desert Faction.
"Leave none alive! Kill the paladin and everyone else!" Famine shouted to his men as he charged with the warriors.

Phoenix was in mid shake with the knight when the new warriors arrived. She answered Tulkas in a low voice, "I promise you, you will be notified and you will have your so-called privacy."

The rogues heads snapped to the direction that the new warriors came from and they jumped to their feet as soon as the threat reached their trained ears. They moved to circle around Phoenix, some even spreading to the White Knight as well. Remy spook first to Phoenix, "M'Lady I must insist you don't stay. Shift and fly somewhere..."

She shook her head and pushed her way through the crowd to look at the new threats. "Are you guys here for the summon or here to be slaughtered? Either way I don't mind." She crossed her arms over her chest, honestly looking fair frusterated with the cloaked man's brash and irrational actions.

Phillipe yanked her back into the protection of the circle and unsheathed his daggers. His eyes were wild and angry. "No one threatens.... no one threatens her." He remained in the same place, though his anger was clearly visible, not only by the pulsing vein in his neck.

Tulkas stepped out from the group around him. He had seen this creature before, the Rauko from the desert. He drew his sword and readied himself with spells. He ran into this demon too much for his liking.

The Desert Faction raiders charged right into the rouge warriors. Famine walked into the fight. The demon was going to try and kill the paladin.
"Do you remember me, paladin?" Famine asked grinning. He pointed his spear at the paladin. If this was going to be a real fight, then Famine and Tulkas would be the last ones standing.

"It would be extremely difficult to forget your persitsant whining demon," he said back to the Rauko. He had seen him everywhere since he arrived in Arda, and had did not doubt that he would see him on the battle field on the moon.

"Whining?" Famine laughed at the thought.
"The only whining I hear are from the victoms I kill when I'm about to finish them off. The rauko said, charging at the paladin.

Phoenix rolled her eyes and let out a shrill whistle, jumping into the air climbing up the palm tree to look down on them all, her rogues easily holding their own.

"Knight," she said forcefully, "If this is who Raku has sent me to ask for my assistance, then I swear to you, my daggers are yours." She spat, "I care not for this dim witted games being played."

Tulkas nodded to Phoenix then took his whip from the hook on his belt. With a strong crack, he wrapped the whip around Famine's spear and pulled hard.

Phoenix let out a sharp whistle and her rogues defended the other men easily, keeping her out of the action, and the white knight alone with the cloaked man.

''Pitiful really," she sighed, watching her rogues' daggers dance easily in the air, "Would have thought Raku would have trained them better."

Famine laughed at the thought that the paladin thinks he can rip a spear from a demon's hands with a whip.
"You humans never cease to amuse me." Famine said as signaled one of his men to strike the paladin while he held the whip.

Tulkas smiled at the demon. Maybe his plan would work. He waited for him to make a move before he acted.

Famine brought his spear closer to him, and grasped the whip. The demon then used his spear as a javelin, and threw it at the paladin, while Famine's men came within striking distance of the knight.

As soon as he felt the tug on the whip he let it go and teleported away from where he was. He reappeared behind Famine with his sword drawn and made a powerful swing right at his neck.

One of the Desert Faction warriors jumped in front of the sword that the paladin swung. The blade struck the warrior in the torso. The rauko could've easily dodged the sword swing, but the man had jumped in front of the sword to early for Famine to be able to do anything but watch him get hit.
"Fool! You have just ensured your death by hurting one of my men!" Famine shouted as he went into a battle frenzy. His eyes began to glow bright red.

Tulkas raised his foot and put it against the man's chest and shoved him off of his blade. The wound looked fatal for he had used force enough to kill in his swing. The demon turned around and for the first time Tulkas saw some hint as to what he looked like. Granted, his eyes were growing red and he looked as though he was about to do something not so nice, it was something new. He wondered what type of powers the demon had. He did satick around lone enough to find out. He teleported back over next to Phoenix's rogues. "I think I made him very angry."

"Get back here, paladin! Famine shouted. His voice thundered over the beach. The demon turned around to look for the paladin, and spotted him in a nearby tree.
"Running?!" Famine shouted, throwing his spear to the ground and pulling out his bow and arrows. Famine loaded a single arrow onto the bow.
"You will pay!" He said, pulling the bow string back. The wooden bow started to crack because Famine had pulled the string back so far. When the Rauko had a clear line of fire, he shot the bow at the paladin.

Tulkas saw the bow and he cast his spell. A strong shield made of magic formed on his left arm just in time to catch the arrow. It made a nice sound on impact and he suspected that it would have gone in very deep if it had hit him.

The paladin blocking the arrow made Famine even more furious. His eyes began to grow even brighter. The demon decided to take his anger out on the rouges instead. Famine got his spear out, and charged for the entire group of them.
"If you do not wish to fight me paladin, then others will have to suffer for your lack of courage." Famine shouted.

"I am not running, I am merely regrouping. Give me your best demon." He was still waiting for the opportunity to execute his plan, but he didn't want Famine's rage for him turned on someone else.

"I left all my demon warriors back at the desert. All that you see now are human warriors. So, if you are done 'regrouping', than I'll gladly fight you!" Famine shouted as he turned before killing the rouges. He awaited the paladin's response.

"I am ready when you are. Let's dance." Tulkas let the demon come to him as he readied himself.

Famine waited for the paladin to make the first move, a tactic Famine had hardly used before. The demon's eyes still were glowing red.
"Now we shall see who the real warrior is!" Famine shouted, getting into a defensive position.

Tulkas saw that the demon wasn't going to make the first move, so he took the initiative. He held his shield up and rushed forward. He swung his blade at the bow making sure that he kept his shield in front of its path to him.

Tulkas:
You manage to strike the bow before Famine can move it away and you manage to sever the string and cut a small chunk out of its hard wood. The bow is still in tack, but it is now rendered virtually useless.

Famine:
The force of the sword striking the bow stings your hands but otherwise you are unharmed.