The air smelled of oak and pine needles the sent sticking in the soldiers noses, based on the mages tracking the targets should be in the area in the next thirty minutes although they did not know what the gates did with time so they had to wait it out. For now...
Aelin Galathynius had just past the border into her kingdom and even though it felt right to be there she was nervous about what would happen next. Rowan had stopped in his tracks and she had bumped into him for staying in her thoughts, five black and silver clad figures were walking down the road towards them stalking almost ready but swaggering as a noble. They had the look of soldiers but not the weapons of them, they were strange and unatural to the forest around them. Aedion had readied his sword and Rowan was grabbing two swords from Aelin's horse.
Aedion spoke first "I don't like this, Perringtons grunts, maybe here to stop us?"
"No these are different, unatural get ready." Rowan tensed they looked dangerous and didn't flich when they pulled out their swords.
Captain Ruzak thought it was strange but, of course they were readying themselves, though the Elven soldiers leader had to be prepared "Weapons up." he said to his squad, the new soldier had been fidgetting with his safety of his rifle, tense the leader thought.
"Hey rookie, calm down a bit will you. All we are doing is making contact." another soldier said, the captain had called for silence minutes before but it was fine he didn't want any stray bullets flying around.
The captain said without thinking "We don't need you to be his keeper Fillegin." Fillegin just gave him a grin.
Aelin was ready but the soldiers didn't back down they were still walking towards them. Then they were in front of them, one with a feral grin the others serious and ready. But, their ears were Fae ears, but they did not have the enlongated canines. She was just as confused at the weapons they were carrying, none of them had blades except the one the captain was wearing on his back. The sword was polished and silver, it's gem boasted in the hilt had a peculiar deepness.
Then Aelin asked the question that was on all of their minds "Who are you, and what kingdom did you hail from." apparently the man was expecting the question and answered.
"Captain Ruzak of the Elvin Alliance. Also we do not come from this world." Ruzak blatently put it out there and knew there would be hesitation to answer.
This time Rowan stepped foward and threw a punch straight at the captain's face... and he caught the punch. She couldn't believe it until he asked, "Are you Fae or half-breed." a question Rowan knew was stupid because of how two of the soldiers he could see were holding in laughs.
"No Rowan we are neither, we are something else we must discuss at our camp later. First though we need you to come with us to the camp and explain why we are here." the captain said it in such a rehearsed manner Aelin almost wanted to roll her eyes. Rowan though, was getting more irrated by the second.
Aelin replied though without hesitation curiosity getting the better of her "Okay." she could almost see the irritation seeping out of Rowan for that answer.
And the captain smiled.
