Hey there, okay this is the chapter where I intend to get the ball rolling okay? Sorry for the wait! Review on the way out please! By the way, I'm really sorry if my character is a Mary-Sue!        

Siv, Royal City of Odiane

A horses' hooves sunk deep into the four inches of snow that had fallen the night before. Gusts of wind ripped through the leafless trees and clouds. Up above, tiny ice crystals fluttered on there way down to the frozen over land. Grey clouds hung like a blanket over the sky. The rolling hills seemed to melt into each other, the snow making it difficult to tell where one hill ended and another began.

                Stone walls rose up, a shield against attack. Although, attack during the winter months was uncommon so it gave the people plenty of time to rebuild and recover. The weather made it difficult to move armies and supplies. The city of Siv was difficult to get to in the first place, since it was pretty much like an island of sorts, usually cut off from the world. Anyone who managed to get there usually ended up beside the walls by accident. The roads to reach there weren't marked, at least not clearly, and most of the paths were overgrown. Traveling to different cities wasn't at all recommended now anyway, as of late.

                Tall, plank wood doors were all that stood between the weary rider and the best nights sleep, she had seen in weeks. She could just imagine the soft, feather pillows, down comforters, flannel sheets, and blankets, candles lighting the way through the halls, and the glass of the windows would be cold to the touch, yet still able to hold out the northern winds.

                Pulling down the forest green hood of her tattered cloak, hazel eyes sharp and alert beneath the shadow of the fabric, she looked up stoically at the gate way. It was both beautiful and practical. Although, the practicality of it didn't matter too much, a feeling of safety and protection resonated from the very stones and mortar in the walls. With its beauty, it was hard to imagine the place being attacked. Then again, she had seen it after an attack, the beautiful walls and gateway torn down and broken. Shards of stone and wood piercing the bodies of the guards and those who couldn't evacuate fast enough. It had taken her hours to burn all of them.

                The roof of the castle was just barely visible. Actually, one really couldn't call it a castle; it was more like a villa, meant to be more of defensive building then one to show status and power. Still, it was unrivaled by any of the others, and would've put the Roman villas to shame. More then one thousand rooms, halls of shimmering polished granite, candles lighting the halls, and tapestries depicting the great victories and losses of the people of Odiane. The thought warmed her heart somewhat.

                Swinging her leg over the brown leather saddle, her riding boots piercing through the thin layer of ice that covered the snow, she walked up to the gate, and slammed her fist against it. A tiny door, perfectly camouflaged in the planking, swung open, revealing blue eyes, narrowed into a glare.

                "Who are you, woman? What business have you in Siv?" the gruff voice asked. "There are rumors of spies wandering this area.no one is allowed through these gates without reason!"

                "I am a Torch Rider of Bittore. My business here in Siv is none of your concern," she said bluntly. "Send a runner to your king, Leidolf, and tell him of my arrival. Surely, he will vouch for me,"

                "How can I trust that you are who you claim to be? Show me the facial markings of the true Riders,"

                Turning her head to the side, Eurayle brushed back the strands of hair and cloth that framed her face. A pair long black tattoos, shaped as teardrops, made its way down from the corner of her eye to the middle of her cheek. Taking a small step to the left, her cheek brushing gently against the frigid wood, she waited patiently for the guard to finish inspecting the mark, making sure that it wasn't just face paint. Annoying, yes, but since word of wandering armies, attacking at will and led by enemy spies had reached the ears of the Kings, it was to be expected. However, Siv by far took more caution.

                After nearly thirty minutes of questions, exchanges of brisk dialog, and inspections, the guard finally allowed her inside.

                It came as no surprise that the streets inside were crowded with people. The love of trade and foreign things made it a most interesting place for shopping. Also, this sense of intrigue ensured that most of the population was well educated on the cultures and traditions of other lands. They say that the best way to defeat your enemy is to better know your enemy. One would think this to be true, since Odiane had launched some of the most successful raids, ambushes, and invasions that Orin had ever seen.

                No sooner had she and her horse stepped into the road, the people parted, allowing her to go forward, treating her like royalty. People stared, children whispered among themselves and their parents in awe, asking about the strange woman who had just entered their city. Soldiers gulped, wondering why the bringer of death incarnate had come.

                She could hear them, muttering cruel sneers and taunts, all of them directed at her. However, after years of going through it, she had learned to drown it out. After all, it wasn't exactly a job that most people dreamed of. Some may find the traveling part of it exciting and adventurous but once they got into the long and tiresome job of sorting through the corpses of soldiers and then burning them, most didn't appear at all pleased by the idea.

                Already the pillared entryway to Leidolf's home was coming into view. The windows glimmered like rubies from the sun that had begun to set. Apparently, she had been standing out there for the inspection a lot longer then she had originally thought. Armed guards bowed down in greeting to her as she dismounted. As a stable hand lead her ebony colored horse away, two more stepped alongside her as escorts into the castle.

                It was just as she imagined, even more impressive actually. Suddenly, she began to feel a little bit self-conscious around the members of the royal court as they occasionally walked by. Compared to them, she thought herself to look like nothing more then some whore the men had picked up off the street. She pulled her hood down further, so that only her tattoos remained visible.

                The doors to the great hall, a living room of sorts, swung open. Lying about were Leidolf's two young daughters and older son. Seated with the captains of his armies was Leidolf, numerous maps, five rolled up to the side, and three more detailed ones set out in front of him as he carefully planned his countries next attack.

                Leidolf, I suppose, wasn't necessarily old, but still, he had gone passed his prime years ago and already his son, Geirolf, was surrounded by books on world history and war strategy. Gossip had even begun to spread that he was looking for a bride. He would soon take the throne, and though he wasn't one of the most attractive of men, many knew him as a fantastic warrior, who never returned without boasting rights as to how many Tristian soldiers he had killed. A famed sword wielder and deadly archer he was, able to fight at whatever distance or in whatever situation that was needed without flaw. 

                "I am pleased that you have come my lady," said the lord, as he dismissed the council. His children looked up at her, their stares intense and confused. They tried to think back to see if they could remember any battles that had recently taken place. There was one, but that was days ago and was miles away from there.

                 "For what purpose have I been brought here? I have yet to receive word of a battle that occurred here," She replied bluntly. Never had she been a patient woman, and numerous times had she been brought over the deserts of Rajni and Jaleh only to learn that they merely wanted her there for reasons other then her usual Torch Rider duties. Most weren't pleasant reasons either.

                "Yes, I am aware that you have been given no reason. However, I pray that you will accept this one."

                "What do you wish of me?" she asked. Her mind was sifting through all sorts of ghastly chores that this man could give to her. Inwardly, she shuddered.

                "I have summoned many here with not necessarily a job, more of a request," He said calmly. Standing, his son walked up to her, handing her a horn, the polished bone glistening beneath the light of the candles. Beautifully carved on the rim, were horses, rushing through tall grass plains. She stared fondly at it. The carvings reminded her of all the stories that her mother had once told her about the once proud lands of Rohan. It was hard to believe that those plains had later become Rajni and Jaleh.

                "Beautiful isn't it? It's sound can be heard for miles. You and you kin may not be able to fight directly, however, do the Council this could turn will you? Sound it if attack is imminent. We shall hear you and come"

                 "I thank you Leidolf," she said. "However, I still don't understand why you would entrust me with such a beautiful thing,"

                "You have the favor of both my son and myself, I trust you will not abuse it, Eurayle"

                Author's Note: Was that better you guys? Sorry it took me so long to tell you her name. However, character introductions are very important. Next chapter will be better I swear on pain of death. Well, maybe not of pain of death, but something just as good.

                By the way, a special thanks to the following people: LalaithoftheBruinen, Serenity_dmn, Rainne, Eregiel Gloswen, Queen Isis, Niori, Queen of the Elven City, and kurleyhawk2 for reviewing the first chapter.