A/N: So I found this on my computer. I wrote it three or four years ago. The grammar isn't the best, but hopefully not atrocious. I had written up through chapter 8. I may or may not finish it, depending on my mood. I probably will though. Also, because someone asked, a flock of crows is called a murder so I decided to call a flock of Stormwings the same.

-TechBeck

Chapter 1

***One year later***

I glanced down at my dress and grimaced. I hated clothes. They were impractical and uncomfortable. I looked up at the sun and winced. I was late again. Aunt Lottie hated when I was late for lessons. I ran through the cave to my lesson room. Auntie was already there and I stopped at the doorway and curtsied. "Sorry I'm late. I lost track of time. It won't happen again."

She laughed, "Yes it will."

I smiled, "Yes well. I'm here now. What are we doing today?"

She pointed with her wing to a table, "I'm testing you to see how much you have learned."

For the next hour she tested my knowledge of the human world. She would point to an object and I would tell her what it was and what uses humans had for it. She tested me on everything from a hairbrush to a saddle. The saddle still confused me. Since no horse would come near Stormwings, I had not seen one used before. However I knew how to use one for when the time came that I would live with humans.

After she had tested me on everything in the room, Auntie turned to look at me. I stood under her unblinking stare for five minutes before she spoke. "It is time."

I gasped, "Now?"

"Yes, now. You are ready. The sooner you go to the human city the sooner this useless war will end. Everyday that you stay here, more of our kind die. You must leave soon. Now, go pack your things, you leave in the morning."

I nodded my head and went to pack my things. I didn't have much except human things that my family thought I would need. I also had a box full of steel feathers from everyone in my family. That box was more important to me than anything else I owned. My second most prized possession was a letter written by my birth mother. She left it with me when I was left on a doorstep as a baby. No one, not even me, had ever read it. My family gave it to me when I turned ten. Every time I thought of leaving my family a tear would leak out of the corner of my eye. I finished packing and lay down for what would be my last night sleeping in my home.

The next morning I was woken up by Auntie nudging my shoulder. I got out of bed and dressed myself in my best dress. I wouldn't wear it while I traveled but I wanted to look good for the last time I saw my family. Every last one of them was there wishing me luck and giving me love. This was why I loved my family. No matter how different I was, they loved me anyway.

I changed into traveling clothes and left the cave. I heard my name being called and looked back. Auntie was behind me. She pulled a feather from her wing and gave it to me. I braided it into my hair and was off. I looked down at the maps that Auntie gave me. There were several, each depicting a different area. There was even a detailed map of the Corus palace. I didn't ask how she got them and she didn't tell me. I walked to the nearest road and followed it to a town. There I headed to the market.

I bought more plain clothes and food with money that my family had given me. They had no use for it and had made sure I was well taken care of. I also bought a horse and tack. I would need it for my trip to Corus. I hung around, watching the humans interact. I stored their actions in my memory so that I could seem more like them.

I continued heading towards Corus. My horse, Storm's Flight, was fast and I was soon in Tortall. I slept along the road and only occasionally went into town. Every night I took Auntie's feather out of my hair and every morning I braided it back in. I soon needed new food and clothes so I headed to the nearest town. I bought my food and clothes and was heading back out of town when a man caught my eye. He was staring at me. Not only that, I had seen him before! He was in the first town I went to. I was scared and hurriedly made my way to the road. I sent Flight racing down the road. I didn't look back, afraid of what I might see.

That night I headed farther from the road before setting up camp. I tethered Flight and ate my dinner. I turned back to Flight and jumped. The same man as before was there, stroking her nose. I stared at him and he returned my gaze. "Wha- What are you doing here? Who are you?"

He bowed and responded, "Luc of Pirates Swoop at your service. And who are you?"

I shook my head, "Why are you following me?"

He laughed, "What do you mean. I saw you in Galla and then I arrive here and see you again. Obviously you are the one following me. I followed you here to ask you to stop. If you don't I will have to force you to stop and you wouldn't enjoy that. Now. I'll ask you again, who are you?"

I thought back to his bow and copied him, "Nellie of… of… ummmmmm… just Nellie. I am sorry for accusing you of following me. You see I'm not used to interacting with other humans and I got scared when I saw you."

He raised a brow but didn't comment. He continued stroking Flight's nose for a while before turning back to me. "Where are you headed, Nellie of just Nellie?"

I smiled at his joke then responded, "Corus. I need to speak with the King and Queen. If I can that is."

"Oh? And why do you need to speak with the King and Queen?"

I looked down, "I'd rather not say."

He nodded like he expected my answer then sighed, "Well as it happens, I am headed to Corus as well. Would you mind if I joined you?"

I hesitated before accepting. He headed back towards the road to get his horse then returned. We settled down for the night and I soon fell asleep.