Daine jumped, throwing her leg threw the air, it hit the her opponent in the head, she winced when she heard a sickly crack… gasping for air she stumbled away from her dead enemy. She had killed before…but never like this…she grasped the trees, helping her to stand…where did Numair go? Silently she crept threw the dark forest, eyes searching for any sign of the tall man…or another bandit. When she thought it safe enough to call out for him she cried, "Numair? Where are you?" Nothing. She tried a few more times and still there came nothing but the faint wind blowing the leaves around the earth with melody. How can a place so beautiful possibly be such a battle field? She climbed a tree, she'd search the skies to see if he'd taken bird shape. She was stiff from her wounds but she managed to grab at every sturdy branch possible, slowly edging toward the top of the grand tree. When she finally reached the highest possible place for a human she took squirrel shape…she was dreading that she might have to do this but…if she was going to find her teacher it was the only reasonable way. Turning her dull ears into large sensitive ears she stretched out her flying squirrel shape and jumped, hoped and leaped all the way to the last branch on the massive tree. She wasn't sure if she'd be able to get out of her new shape (easily) with all of her gashes and scars but…she'd have to try…right now all she was worried about was finding Numair. She examined the landscape before her…there was large gray rocks sketching the horizon, she knew this to be mountains…this was where Alanna and Sir Myles fought…she hoped all was going well for them. Locking the dreadful thoughts into the back of her mind she focused on what lay in the forest that she was in herself. When she saw red, gold and orange glowing at the tree tops she knew right away that it was a forest fire… Not only would the flames spread, devouring homes to the people (animals, creatures of all sorts) it could possibly harm Numair, if he wasn't in a fleeing state…meaning he wasn't well enough to run or stop it with his magic. Rain didn't occur much here and everything in sight was utterly dry and dead. Fires where the worst things that could happen this very moment.

She soon realized that it wouldn't be sensible to try and find Numair now. She knew what her duty was…she had to keep this place safe…then find the enemy's base to steal their plan chart… she couldn't let her personal emotions get in the way of what she had to do. Plus. Numair wasn't an idiot, he could take care of himself. Daine had seen him in very cruel situations and he made it out fine…or…at least half decent. With blurry eyes she jumped from the tree top, she felt her bones spread, lighten and her face deformed as she turned into hawk shape and soared threw the air, ignoring the protests of her body.

As she circled the glowing flames she called with her wild magic to all the people that where within hearing distance. Get away from the warm! She demanded, sparking her words with a hint of force…for the stubborn ones… Hurry! If your don't you'll all die! Now. GO! She felt most of them live…and she ignored the faint cries of death.

She thought quickly…trying to push her panic aside. What could she possibly do? Then she remembered Numair's words, if anything is to go wrong there is a small cottage a little to the west. Go there, and don't hesitate! We have a few spies there and they well supply you with anything that you are in need of. She tried not to ponder on the kiss that he planted on her forehead after that precious moment… Thinking hard she turned to go back to where he had said those words, then she would go west from there. Hoping that nothing had happened to those spies. Hoping she was doing the right thing…

Hoping Numair wasn't in any harm.

She flew for hours, though to her it seemed more like days. Only because thirty minuets into her flight the sun seemed to grow hotter and she felt as though she might faint at any moment. Other than her cuts she was fine. She tried to think about the beauty beneath her and her duty instead of the risk of her friends lives…some how the dangerous thought's always came creeping threw her head-ached mind, my how she hated having all of these emotions! In spite of her hatred toward chickens…right now she wouldn't mind being one. They had no feeling but toward themselves, mostly because they where stupid…her thoughts vanished as she glanced down to see a small and homely looking cottage, there where even people outside doing things like laundry and gardening….spies? She frowned and soared down cautiously…would they try and harm her? Thinking about what would happen if she changed to her normal self…right in front of the young boy who chopped trees…wincing she flew behind the house, landed and formed into her normal self…having her dull ears and normal eyes dampened her spirits… being human did have it's down sides…

She quickly explained to the maid who she was and that she would appreciate something to cover with…and at once the elderly lady wobbled inside the cottage and brought out a poorly made woolen blanket… it would have to do….it only covered her breasts to her thighs but, that would also have to do. When inside all the spies listened to her intently, asking questions…Daine tried to be respectful and patient but after what seemed like a million none important questions she said clearly, "I need to right to Galeif Seaken. He is a powerful mage…It would be nice if he knew about the situation with the forest." They must have heard the eagerness in her voice for all of them searched the house for parchment and an ink pen. When they finally handed over what she needed she smiled and quickly started to write:

Which was a code name they where informed to use. Which was where she was presently… It is important that someone tends to it…I have no way of stopping it, or saving the people who are trapped…I'm hoping you can somehow put the flames to an end. I cannot say much more, I need to mind my mission.

Please try and stop it. As you know this fire well not be easy to kill…and it well spread, for days perhaps…I'm not sure what or who started it but it's serious news and we need to at least try to save the lives of hundreds. I've already told the animals to leave so there's no need to worry…about them. I have no idea what's happened to the people living there…I was told there was a small wood village…I'm not positive though.

Please help. I'm going to the base of Tarou.

Daine

She was sure no one knew her name…and thought it of importance at all. She sealed it and looked up to the curious people.

"I need to leave." She said anxiously. "I have no time to dawdle…I'll send my thanks to you some other time…but…before I leave. Do you have any clothes, supply's food maybe that I could use?" They stared at her blankly. A young woman…maybe in her mid thirties stood from the table, she looked strong, intelligent and informed.

"We well help you with anything that you are needing." She smiled, her blue eyes warm. Pulling her tan hair back she said with demand, "First your going to let me tend to your wounds."