[ Nodding once, Clive turns and begins to walk in the direction that Tobias indicates, trusting the hawk's senses to get them somewhere that isn't the middle of a forest. Silence falls between him and Tobias for a time as they go, pushing through the foliage of the woods. ]

The Shields of Rosaria were an order of knights that served the Archduke of Rosaria and his heir, the Dominant of the Phoenix. [ He knows that doesn't explain much, but honestly it would probably end up being more confusing if he tried, but Tobias didn't know what a Shield was an now he does. It's a way to pass the time, at least. ] I began to train almost as soon as I was able to grip a practice sword. I knew that I would never inherit the throne, but I could still serve the duchy by protecting my brother, Joshua, as his Shield.

[ Silence again for a moment as Clive cuts through a thatch of denser undergrowth. ]

We were the sons of the duke, but we... were betrayed. The duchy fell and I was --[ Enslaved. ]--conscripted into the army of the empire we once believed to be our allies. That was nearly twenty years ago, now.

[ Suffice to say, he's led an eventful life. ]

You needn't divulge your secrets to me if you would prefer to keep them close. You were courageous enough to trust me, but I would not ask you to tell me more if it would further vex you to do so.