All these characters belong to Tamora Pierce.
=Callings in Moonlight=
"To the front!" Merrick bellowed.
The wind whipped his hair behind his head and he squinted into the darkness. There had to be someone in the forest. He was positive he heard something. It had to be raiders. Why are they starting to hit hard?
"You three, take the sides." Merrick pointed at three of his horsemen. He then turned to the man on the ground. "And you, scout on ahead. Tell me how much you see."
"Sir Merrick," someone screamed.
Merrick whirled his horse around and found more of his men down. Who the hell is doing this?
A blurred figure streaked across his vision. Someone draped in black robes, completely covered so that he couldn't identify them.
Something cold pierced his cheek.
It stood before him, arms crossed, and cold, crimson eyes watching.
Merrick unsheathed his sword. He pointed it at the person's face and frowned. "You won't get in here," he murmured.
The figure attacked, flying at him and removing two short swords that were hidden in their robes. They slashed at Merrick, as he tried to counter.
"Argh!" He fell off his horse.
The figure sliced the exposed skin at Merrick's arm; he winced.
Silently, the figure bent down and took off the mask.
Long waves of white hair--almost the color of moonlight--flowed down and tickled Merrick's face. It was a girl.
She smiled sadly and spat, "Tell your friend that he can't save her."
=========================
The soft patted feet was heard across the hallway as well as the loud knocking on the hard wooden panel.
Keladry of Mindelan rubbed the sleep from her eyes and went to answer the loud banging. Out of habit, she grabbed the glaive that was next to her bed and opened the door. "Yes?"
Before her stood a small girl, a girl who she recognized as Irnai, the seer. Her brown hair, messed, long and languid, fell in waves around her head. Her dark green eyes were glazed over with a scared expression.
Kel fell to one knee. "What is it?" She touched Irnai's cheek. It was wet as if she had spent the whole night crying.
Irnai sniffed and rubbed her face against her arm. "I saw something terrible."
It had to be bad to affect her like this, Kel thought. She pulled the girl inside the room and went to look for a glass of water. Tobe, Kel's friend was already handing Irnai one. "You two are awfully loud," he drawled.
Kel gave him a look that said 'go away, if you know what's best for you.'
"Fine, I'll leave the ladies alone," Tobe muttered. He grabbed his blanket and exited.
"Now, Irnai, what's wrong?"
Irnai drank a little of the water and sniffed. "Neal's child. She's been stolen."
