The morning dawned cold and bright, the air was crisp and cold. Morning bird calls echoed sweetly in the nearby pine forests, uplifting the sombre mood in the castle. The town was still mostly asleep and unawares of what was to come in the next few days or weeks. The mountainous landscape loomed above the castle fort situated on a high hill of rock and earth, where tired soldiers were still stationed from the night shift, waiting for their day replacements. Some paced, while others stared blankly at the forest. No laughter or jokes could be heard...the atmosphere in the castle was tense. The final attack was being planned and would be executed soon enough. The result would be, contrary to heroic ballads and songs, death, despair and grief. Loved ones would march away, never to come back again. Sons, husbands, fathers. But it had to happen. The war had lasted for far too long. It would be far better to end it, suffer the despair and live on in peace.

A light grey eyrie wearing intricate and precious dragonish, metal and ebony armour stood on top of one watch tower, leaning forward on one wall between the battlements, and was at first glance, gazing lazily at the scenery around her. But contrary to first impressions, her quick eyes were scanning the forests, looking for any signs of movement, her hands grasping a long bow strung with an arrow.

Anam Worata!" The eyrie glanced up, glaring at the soldier standing at attention in front of her.
What is it Ravik? It better be interesting because I was busy."
The soldier almost seemed to turn white "I'm sorry lady! It didn't look like you were doing anything.. I I I apologise, but the Sej Borakai summoned you!" He gave a quick bow and inched away. The eyrie looked bemused. "My father wants to see me eh? Fine, I'll make time for him, even if he doesn't do the same for me." She turned away from the battlements, but then paused. Something black had caught her eye in the nearby forests. She waved the soldier over and pointed. "Wait and watch" She muttered.

Ravik paused his speech momentarily to gaze at the direction of Worata's eye.... "Ah, I see now!"
The black shadow hastily moved throughout the forest, as if it were searching. A glimpse of black was seen between each dense pine tree, the shadow moved into a more open surrounding. It's appearance was made out now - a charcoal coloured uni with white, glistening markings, a cream mane and dragon wings - entered our domain.

Aesirias puffed as she galloped through the Theordai Pine Forest. Nhourai worries too much. He is brave I must say, but I am no scout. I cannot fail either, he expects me to return. This war has no place, there has been no solid, immense battle nor many blows caused yet.
She bears long endurance, so little exertion of breath falls out, a considerably large tree stump dormantly stands in her way. She begins to run past, and leap over it, only to trip on rock camouflaged by the moist snow afterwards.

Worata's eyes glinted triumphantly and she drew herself up to her full height, took a deep breath and bellowed "SCOUT! On the range! You lazy deadbeats! Get your bows and fire at will....take the scout DOWN! NOW!!!" All around her the soldiers on guard bustled with new found and panicky energy. Bows were pulled out from hidden niches, strung and aimed by skillful hands and eyes. Worata grimaced and her hands tightened on her own bow which remained by her side.
Trust these soldiers not to notice a /black/ scout in the woods. And I can't even take her down myself, under Ozsar's orders. She rolled her eyes, and hunkered down by the wall, watching the black shadow moving through the trees. "Shoot to injure not destroy!" She bellowed as an added afterthought. The scout would be need for interrogation.

The soldiers were now ready, in unison they grasped their longbows, drew the arrows and let loose a volley that arched gracefully towards the target...
The volley of arrows struck down their target, few hit, few missed. The target left paralyzed, unable to recover, unable to find a time to escape.

The mare screeched in agony as several arrows plunged her hind leg, crying to any allies who just may be in contact for help. But, would there be allies in this likely region? Handling the given pain was difficult, Aesirias was not fond of paralysis - growing weaker as the paralysis slinks down to her blood stream, draining her remaining energy - now left with Aesirias just to faint.

Worata watched the target stagger and buckle onto the ground. A cold smile spread across her face. "Well done men! You did something right for once! Assemble squad three and meet in the main courtyard in 10!"

***

Worata trudged through the snow at the head of the squadron, staring determinedly at the trees, trying to get a glimpse of the fallen target. They reached the trees, but nothing could be seen. Worata grasped her bow and scanned the treeline. She snarled in annoyance and shouted "Spread out! The target has moved but can't have gone far! You know what to do when you find it." The soldiers nodded and spread out amongst the trees, bows drawn and treading softly in the snow. Ten minutes later, the awaited bird call signal echoed sharp and clear through the woods. Worata turned abruptly from the square of forest she was stalking through and bounded towards where the calls originated from. Soon enough, she came upon her soldiers standing in a circle around a dark figure lying prone on the ground. She pushed her way through roughly and stood on the inside, gazing at the scout. It was a black and white mare, unconscious and wounded in her right haunch, but the wound was not too deep as the mare had tough muscles. Worata grinned. Better yet, she bore he banner of the northern Zetrdu. "Load her onto the stretcher and get her some medical attention...get the wound treated and bandaged and put her in the stable cells. I'll interrogate her myself." The soldiers nodded curtly and set about their task.

The soldiers tracked across the white snow, carrying their burden - the mare - tied by several ropes at her hooves to keep her firm. As they trek along their known path, the crows among the pine trees watch their paces carefully, it's eyes glared at the soldiers endeavoring them to feel any sympathy for the injured mare. Though, it did fail.

The small amount of clear light arose upon Aesirias's eyelids, her wounds still throbbed at her side but were well treated. Aesirias slowly opened her eyelids, but then wanted to sleep more to regain lost energy. She had no idea who these people were whom had captured her, nor why. A black shadow peered through the corner and footsteps were heard.

Worata stood at the entrance to the cell peering through the bars at the prisoner. A shaft of sunlight coming though the top window lit up the cell with a warm yellow glow. Worata narrowed her eyes as the mare began to stir. She beckoned the soldier behind her who hastily unlocked the cell door and held it open for the Anam who stepped into the cell, her steel boots thudding heavily on the soft ground. She crossed her arms and glared at the prisoner. "So. What were you doing on our land Zetrdu? And don't play dumb with me - I know you are awake" spoke Worata in a low, dangerous voice. She gave the mare a rough nudge with one boot.

Aesirias ignored the pain given from the heavy, worn boot, daring not to speak a word to the young Eyrie. She then returned to sleep.

Well come on." Worata glared at her and aimed a harder kick at the mare's flank, but was restrained by a gentle hand on her shoulder. Turning she saw a fellow Anam, Anam Derain. He shook his head and spoke softly, "Leave it till later, she's in no condition to speak." Worata's cold grey eyes could have pierced a shaft in Derant's head, but nonetheless she followed him out of the cell and barked at the soldiers to keep a close guard on the prisoner, who obviously thought she wasn't going anywhere. She then stomped down the passageway, obviously in a somewhat foul mood to deliver the tidings to the Sej Borakai.

I have failed Nhourai. He awaits a return already. Is there hope of escape now? Aesirias tentatively lifted her head up high in despair, and gazed around her cell; there appeared to only be one window in this cell, being high off the ground, perhaps being tall enough to see her surroundings. Aesirias lifted herself up, her body still somewhat fragile from the paralysis, and walked over to the seen -blocked- Her eyes only just barely reached the window sill, she peered her eyes in between the metal bars blocking at least half of the view. Well that's helpful. The Rocnotr clan have situated me on their stone courtyard, in front of their housed village and castle beyond this said village. Aesirias turned to face the jail bars locking her inside. I suppose the guards have the key, no? I am not of magic, but all I am to do is call for aid on the outside, pick the locks, or pick pocket the keys. But which would occur first? Aesirias emitted a glum look and lay back down on the floor nestling her head on her front two legs, hoping.

Meanwhile, at the peaceful village of the Zetrdu, Tauud Nhourai called for one of his governed squads. "MEN! Get your silly, little armoured bodies here!
Yes, Sir!" one called.
Our messenger has not visited back in the last thirty six hours, you ARE to investigate this matter and bring her back, NOW! End of discussion, now MOOOVE IT!" Nhourai ended his speech with a worried face.

Worata bowed before the Sej Borakai within his large personal study. "I bring tidings Sir." The Sej Borakai was a large, strongly built shale grey eyrie with white around his face. He was attired in golden bronze armour and was at the moment, gazing sternly down at his daughter. "Worata, I bid you to come earlier. There had better be a good explanation for why you directly defied my orders." He folded his arms and waited for a response. Worata narrowed her eyes but bowed her head as a sign of respect "Sir, I apologise for my disobedience, but a Zetrdu scout was spotted in our woods and I had to command our soldiers and direct the capture. The said scout is now our captive, and only mildly injured. She will be ready for interrogation soon sir." The Borakai nodded and returned to his desk which was covered maps and charts. "Well done. It is a satisfactory explanation. You are dismissed."

Worata sighed "Thank you sir, I'll take my leave." She left the study and headed for the walls overlooking the forest on the north side of the castle. She could patrol a bit and clear her head.

Stepping, onto the wall, Worata nodded to the soldier who was on guard and strolled down the walkway. The night air was cool and crisp and the stars shone brightly, glinting and forming brilliant constellations. Everything was going well for her, but she felt somehow....unsatisfied. She leaned over the wall and mulled over the past few days events while gazing at the silent, dark forest.

The squad summoned by Nhourai maneuvered their obstacles, one tree after another; them being in the Rocnotr territory now. As they hastily ran, the snow as their ground flew up in the air and landed subtly. "How close are we, sir?" One called from the side of the squad leader.
Not long, soldier, not long." The squad leaders voice echoed past the forest, faintly disappearing as you distance from these men.

Worata paced the wall, scowling at the forest. She now felt tense, unsettled and on the edge, her quills were prickling and her instincts told her something was in motion. Hefting her bow on her shoulder and emitting a little growl, she made her way to the wall overlooking the courtyard overlooking the prisoner's cell. Peering over the stone work, she could see that the soldiers were still on guard. Nothing unusual. "All's well soldiers?" She called. One soldier looked up quizzically "Yes lady, nothing troubles us this peaceful night.." Worata nodded in accordance and withdrew from the edge. She was being paranoid. The soldiers were well trained and able, they could handle any trouble, especially in the form of any rag tag would-be rescuers. Scowling at her uneasiness, she continued her rounds on the walls, a dark figure in the night treading softly and watching intently.

Whispering, "There, just there, you see now?" The squad leader pointed his crooked finger toward the Rocnotr Castle. He urged one of the several men gathered here to act as a decoy, to perhaps surrender their life; that's what war is for, no?
No Sir. We can't. We have little men as it is right now, this would be an unwise decision for the sake of our nation as a whole." The voice of this soldier was terrified, for he feared death like no other. He trembled immensely.
True that be. Sorry squad for my ignorance. We need to devise a plan on how to scout the area without us caught being. You see there are guards, and villagers surrounded in this entire area, from north to south." The squad leader began imprinting on the dirt's surface, sketching a rough plan of the tactics being used now - where to start, how many troopers to leave out at once, should there be reserves, who to take out, should we simply just scout the local area? All would be answered shortly...

The land was still peaceful here, the squad leader intended on keeping it that way, "Troopers One to Four, head out, now!"
The called troopers gathered themselves together and sped to scout the area together, stealthily. They were indeed quick, their movements were almost unrecognisable to others.

Worata paused her in her steps, her quick eyes catching something in the woodlands. Drawing her bow, she knelt behind the crenellations and peered into the darkness. She could of sworn she saw a glint of metal in the moonlight and it was infrequent that her eyes decieved her. Ten minutes passed and she stood up cautiously. No arrows sailed past her head or any angry warriors charged out of the silent, tall and dark forest. Frowning suspiciously she walked on as if everything was normal, but then, silent as a cat she doubled back and melted into the shadows, still waiting and still watching.

rocnotr - descend
rose-no-ter

nuczyo - castle
noos-z-yo