The blizzard outside was blowing fiercely, much more so than usual for this time of year in the frozen wasteland that is Irendi. The people of the town of Tristram took shelter in their homes, the more daring ones, in its famous pub, for a drink or two to ward against the cold of the night. That was no exception for the leader of the Rainbow Regiment, General Magnus Gallant. He took to a back room of the pub and sipped on his poison in silence contemplating the roads his life was about to take.

Only a month before the Regiment had seen it’s first major victory over the tyrant of the Irendi Guard House. The black wizard Marcus had long been lording his “superiority” over the people, and so The Rainbow Regiment and its allies at the time thought it was time to make him pat, and the Irendi Guard house had fallen that night.

However, this land that Magnus had come to call home over the last few years was starting to drag on his soul. He needed something different, something new. It was time for him to move on, and before he could there was one thing that he had to take care of.

As the General of the Rainbow Regiment sat there in the silence hearing only the blizzard continuing to rage outside, a knock came on the door to his room. Magnus looked up from his mug, “You may enter” he said dryly. The door opened to reveal two women behind it, a young blue haired girl with a red hair ribbon and a green dress, and a somewhat childish if not outright bratty face, and a slightly older girl with short brown hair that she kept in a pony tail and was outfitted in red and black.

“You wanted to see us?” The older one asked, with her hand on her hip, “I hope you make this quick, I have other business to attend to,” she said with a voice that commanded obedience. She was none other than Nefertari, the lord of Tristram, and the most powerful red wizard around. And like she said, keeping her waiting wasn’t a good idea.

The younger girl stared at Nefertari, “Aww lighten up, we all know what you have to go do” she said as she rolled her eyes and made an obscene gesture. The young blue haired girl was called Phanna. She was a pretty powerful black wizard for someone her age. She was also kind of a brat, but the Regiment accepted her with open arms anyway. “Anyways,” she said as she popped a bubble with her gum, “Whattya want Maggie?” she asked with a bright smile.

Magnus looked at them in silence for a few moments, and then stood up. “I grow tired of this land and its people,” he started, “I need something new, something different.” He said and looked off to the side with a sigh.

“What are ya trying to say Maggie?” Phanna asked with a curious look as Nefertari stared him down.

Magnus looked back to Phanna. “My dear Phanna, I am leaving this land. I am going somewhere where the people are less… tiring. I have grown weary of this fighting. No one understands what we even are fighting for, and so I can no longer fight for them. If they would rather quarrel amongst themselves for whatever petty reason, let them. But I must move on, and find a new purpose” He said as he made eye contact with the two women.

“Why tell us all of this then?” asked Nefertari, “Why not just leave in the middle of the night without a word?” she asked him. She was trying to hold back the rising sadness in her voice. They had known each other longer than the existence of the Rainbow Regiment. Magnus used to be one of her most trusted knights. But for unfathomable reasons, things are the way they are now.

Magnus turned to Nefertari and spoke, “You two are my most valued and trusted friends and allies I have made in this land. And there is one thing that needs taking care of before I leave. I need to make sure The Regiment is in good hands. So I am leaving the leadership of it to you two. I know that you two will bring out its best.” he said with a smile.

Phanna popped her gum again “WHAT?” she asked, the shock apparent in her voice. “You cant be serious Maggie. You’ve gotta be kidding, this is a joke right?” she insisted not wanting to believe any of it.

“I’m afraid not dear Phanna, I am leaving, and the Rainbow Regiment is yours to do with what you wish.” He reassured her.

“Will we ever see you again? You have to come back, you can’t just abandon us here” Phanna said getting more and more flustered as the conversation drew on.

Magnus looked at her, Phanna was still young, and it was apparent in her attitude and mannerisms. It made him smile. “If my dealings ever bring me back to Argo, but I am not sure if that will ever happen” he confessed.

“You…you…you’re lying!” Phanna exclaimed and stormed out of the room in tears.

Nefertari and Magnus both were surprised by that outburst. “So you’re really leaving us here?” Nefertari questioned him.

Magnus looked at her for a few moments before he spoke. “Yes my dear princess, I am leaving. But you don’t need me here, you have the rest of the regiment to help you achieve your goals. They will be plenty adequate I assure you.” he said with a sigh.

“You’re probably right.” Nefertari said, “I wish you luck wherever your journey might take you. I’m sure, that one day you will return, even if for a short time.”

Magnus smiled “Watch over Phanna would you? She’s still just a child, as powerful as she is,” Magnus said. “Well, I’ve delayed long enough, I must be going now, I hope one day that your Queendom is restored to you, I am sorry that I couldn’t be there until the end. But I can no longer tolerate this land or it’s people. Farewell my princess” he said as he handed her a flower that he pulled from under his cape and then walked out the door.

The room was empty now, save for Nefertari, the lord of Tristram and the new leader of the Rainbow Regiment. She held the flower, and even she had shed a tear at her knights departure.

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