The Summoner's Mark (First Draft) (Book One)

Rendezvous

Finishing with the knots in the rope that he was using bind the arms of the Raider behind their back, Sin stood himself back to his full height. Making his way towards the pile of corpses so he could search for the being that he saw movement coming from, Sin took a moment to look at the Raider once more.

He could see that the Raider had the urge to escape though with Soren circling above them, this made that urge meaningless considering that the Raider didn't wish to end up as a meal for the Griffin.

Turning back to focus on his current goal, Sin arrived at the pile of corpses within seconds and once he did; he immediately started to shift the bodies around until he came to the one that he was searching for. Sin was able to determine which corpse he was looking for due to the child-sized fist that came soaring at him.

While he didn't think the small fist would be able to do much harm to him, Sin thought that it would be best to avoid taking a blow directly to his face. Catching ahold of the limb, Sin held the being down as he called out a greeting to them in hopes of causing them to calm themselves. "I am not here to harm you!" Sin cried as he continued to hold the small being's arms down.

Eventually, the thrashing calmed as the being that Sin had rescued noticed the body of the dead Raider as well as the one that was bound in a way that would keep them from escaping. Almost immediately, the once hostile being completely changed and suddenly the arms that they were using to attack Sin were now used to grasp him in a hug that informed the half-breed about the level of terror that was contained within their body.

"Everything will be okay..." Sin muttered out as he patted her back in a way that he hoped would be comforting to the child that had just went through an ordeal that no living being should have to. "...you are safe now!"

Allowing the child to continue to hold him as they spewed snot and tears across the front of his shirt and though he wished to examine the child for wounds that could possibly be life threatening to them; Sin felt that it would be best to continue to comfort the child. Grasping ahold of them in a stronger grip, Sin lifted the child into the air and held them as he turned away from the pile of corpses.

Sin was able to make it a few steps before he heard snapping branches echo throughout the area. Fearing that more Raiders had found themselves at the camp, Sin immediately went for his dagger which was unsheathed moments after the hilt was grasped in his hand. Knowing that he would be at a disadvantage if whatever made that noise was in fact an enemy; Sin called out for his Griffin.

"Soren!" Sin cried out which caused his Familiar to drop to the ground. With Soren's body smashing into the ground, leaves and dirt went scattering through the air and considering that the Griffin could feel his Summoner's anxiety; a shriek of defiance echoed throughout as both Sin and Soren waited for the newcomers to make their way fully into the camp.

As the newcomers came into view, both Soren and Sin relaxed upon sighting them. "Thank the Gods..." Sin muttered out as he sheathed his dagger once more and the moment that the blade was contained in the small of his back, his voice fluttered out once more. "...how is it that you were able to find me?"

Even though Sin had called out to those who had come with him on this mission to dispose of the Raider filth that had taken Caso captive, they didn't respond to him right away considering that they were busying themselves with getting ready to make use of the camp. As they did this, Sin was busy examining them which allowed him to notice that Sten, Balor and Harlon weren't amongst them and though he despised them with every fiber of his being for the ways that they treat him; he was slightly worried that something happened to them.

"Did something happen to Sten and the others?" Sin called out once more as this worry began to fester inside him.

Thankfully, this time around; he didn't have to wait long to get the answers to the words that he had spoken considering that Sylris had just finished tying his mount's lead to a nearby tree.

"We spotted Soren circling the trees and since you weren't upon him, we were worried that something horrible might have happened to you..." Sylris explained as he and Sierra started stepping towards their student who was still holding the terrified child within his grasp. "...and to answer your second question. Sten, Balor and Harlon are all fine; they just continued on without us so they could help prepare the Zesian Army for the upcoming battle."

Even with his detest for the three of his companions who weren't present, Sin felt some relief flood through him when he learned that they were alright. Upon learning that they had continued to their meeting point with the Zesian Army, Sin also knew that they should also continue though considering that this was the first break that they have had since leaving their previous camp; he decided that they should take this time and rest which would also give them time to heal any wounds that were upon the child's body.

Stepping forward, Sin met the two Mages halfway and once he arrived; he sat himself upon the ground and motioned for Sierra to come towards him. Keeping his hands firmly placed upon the child's body, Sin watched as Sierra began to ready her spell.

*

After an hour of resting as well as interrogating the prisoner that Sin had captured, the group continued with their trek towards the meeting point with the Zesian Army. Thankfully, by the time that they left the camp, the child that they rescued had grown comfortable around others besides Sin which allowed him to place her upon the ground which was helpful considering that Sin didn't wish to bring her with him when he went back into the air with his Griffin.

Sin knew that Sylris and Sierra didn't want to have to hunt for him again which is one of the reasons why he had chosen to stay with the group as they made their way towards the Army. The other reason that Sin decided to stay with his companions was because of the child that he rescued.

Keeping Soren hovering above the child who was currently riding with Sierra, Sin had his eyes resting upon them which allowed him to see that she wasn't as terrified as before and that she felt comfortable with the older Mage that she rode with. With the knowledge that she was safe, Sin turned his attention back to the horizon.