Disclaimer: I do not own Breath of Fire, although I really wish I did.
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"When we question our reality, We question ourselves"
Zai-Kuloch, 13453 B.F.
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The market place was heavily populated, Ryu stood out in the open air soaking everything in. I've been here, He thought. He turned in a circle; the hustle and bustle of people going on about their business was becoming an annoyance. He was not yet used to so many people at the same time. /Or am I?/
"Come one man, it's not like this is your first time in the marketplace." Turning quickly towards the sound of the voice Ryu found himself staring face to face with Bow. The cloak that Ryu was wearing was loose fitting and easily concealed the array of weapons he had hidden. The colors were bright and one might think this would make them stand out, but the colors blended in perfectly with the color found all over the city of Wyndia. Looking over the array of people found in Wyndia Ryu was amazed to see a lack of wings. /The books had told me all wyndians had wings...is that past a lie? Or is this future different? /
"Bow," Ryu asked, without turning towards his friend, but knowing he was there. "Why don't these Wyndians have wings?" He could here Bow sigh audibly.
"I thought we went over this before buddy, but I'll give you another history lesson. 11,000 years ago the dragon clan was utterly destroyed by the Urkans for little or no reason. Thousands of years later a young Wyndian princess, Nina, fell in love with one of the last remaining Dragons. Supposedly his mother had encased him inside of a Chrysm crystal. Well, the ensuing marriage mixed the bloodlines and eventually wiped out the Wing trait of the Wyndians. Only the nobles have wings now. It's a status of power, and that status is only kept because of a mix of new science, and massive inbreeding." Bow shuddered at his last thought.
"Whatever, let's start now, it looks like the procession is starting." As Ryu said that the Northern gates that led to the castle opened. The crowd began cheering as the royal soldiers marched into the streets. The royal soldiers, like the royal family, bore the mark of nobility with their wings. Ryu looked farther up the mountain and could see the royal family leaving the castle with their honor guard. There were three of them, a princess, Queen, and the king. Ryu began to back away imperceptibly. He and Bow had an ambush set for later in the procession, and were only here to scout out the amount of guards they would be facing. /If everything goes as planned, I wont have to pull my sword./ But things rarely went according to plan...
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Nina was finally comfortable. Wearing a form fitting short dress with thigh high boots wasn't what made her comfortable. It was the self-made slits in the back for her black wings. The royal family had all left the castle. All who remained was a small company of soldiers and the servants. /I will see my sister's coronation with my own eyes. She is, after all,/ my sister. Although her relationship with her mother and father was strained, Nina had made sure to keep a good relationship with her younger sister. It was the only relationship she had ever had. The only person she could speak to. She stepped out onto her balcony. She could see the procession was just entering the great market. Stretching her wings so they could catch all the sunlight they could she stepped onto the edge of the balcony. /Hope I remember what to do.../ Then she jumped...
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The purple hair blew in the wind, "So this is Wyndia, the city of beauty?" A voice asked.
"Why yes it is sir, this is where the Wyndians have lived for eons. The altitude has made it that no army has ever gotten passed the 4th level before they were defeated."
"We will use that to our advantage," The voice once again said, "We ride now, while they are lazy and happy, while they party and play, they have begun to think that they cannot be defeated...we shall show them the truth." As the voice said that waves upon waves of men finally reached the crest of the mountain. Flying the banner of lost ages, the banner that signified death 11,000 years ago, a banner that meant power. /The Dark Dragons!/
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The Dark Dragons were like a river of destruction, flowing unhindered by any and all obstacles. Behind them were the fruits of there labor. Towns destroyed, garrisons burned with such efficiency and skill that there was no time to warn the city of Wyndia of the approach. The plan was simple, to send a small amount of soldiers into the city to ambush the outer wall, they would signal the main forces with the waving of the black flag of death, the flag that would signal the destruction of Wyndia.
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Ryu and Bow jogged throughout the city until they got to the front gate. The procession was going to pass by here, and it was the best place to ambush them, kidnap the princess, and ransom her off. Of course the plan was slightly more complicated then that, but that more or less covered it.
"Lets do it," Bow said, walking up to a window that, thanks to the help of a couple thousand zenny, was wide open. As Bow propped himself underneath the window Ryu ran over and jumped off his back, hearing a slight "oof" as he launched off of him. Deftly grabbing the windowsill he pulled himself up just high enough for him to see inside, and what he saw shocked him. Eight men, dressed in all black were walking up the stairs to the upper level, on the lower level was the remains of the guards on duty. Blood was everywhere. Ryu quickly assessed the situation. /Someone has the same plan as us.../
"Hey Ryu, what's taking you so long up there?" He heard Bow say from the bottom. Ryu then decided to go in no matter what. /We really need the money, so lets go on with the plan./ Pulling out a knife he cut the window out, and slipped in. He could hear his feet squish on someone as he landed. Quickly running to the other side he opened up the door and led Bow in.
"God D-"Bow started saying when Ryu cut him off. His sword was now drawn and he was looking at Bow with fire in his eyes. He signaled with his hands, "Eight men, upstairs, let's go." , and slowly led Bow up, not even bothering to see if he was following him knowing full well that Bow complained a lot, but he always had his back. As Ryu got to the door leading to upstairs he waited until Bow tapped him on the shoulder, a signal that all was ready, then he kicked down the door.
As he entered he could smell the heat of battle, looking across he could see an entire platoon of Wyndian soldiers being beaten by these eight soldiers, he stood for a second soaking in the environment and analyzing his new enemy. Their battle stance was quite similar to the one he had learned in his other life. In fact, it was dangerously similar. /Could they know something?/ Ryu had no chance to dwell on the details as one of the eight had noticed his entrance, turning towards Ryu and Bow he yelled a battle cry "Frey mahk Shai-hulud!!!" /I recognize what he said..."for the glory of Shai-hulud,"...could they know something?/ Before the man could speak another word an arrow appeared out of nowhere to hit the man in the chest. The man was lifted off of his feet and driven back a few feet before landing on the ground with a sickening thud. Ryu heard the familiar sound of Bow's brand new, pump action Boltgun. Firing arrows the length of a grown mans arm at a velocity of 100ft/sec. It was the embodiment of insane power in a bow and arrow. That was the last thing Ryu heard as he slipped into a battle stance, blocking out all diversions. All he saw was the seven men.
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/The pain, the excruciating pain...all I can feel is the pain./
The Wyndian soldier finally reached the front gates of the capitol bearing the news, /The Black Death Lives!!/ The Black Death was a name given to the Dragons that followed the Dark one. They were not evil, but felt that Dragons should rule the earth, and the only way they would rule is to destroy all other governments, to conquer all. They had thought to have been destroyed 11,000 years ago but that was obviously not so. The army had risen from the ashes of myth and legend and was now a reality. /Must warn the king.../ The soldier thought as he slammed on the outer gates, finally the door had opened and standing before him was a lieutenant, dressed in his formal dress he was a stark contrast. The soldier's clean cut look, his rigid stance, his boundless energy...and his beautiful white wings. They set him apart from the other soldiers. Broken, bruised, battered, and most of all wingless the soldier felt insignificant. Like he was nothing.
"The black death..." Were the only words that escaped his mouth, he lost the will and energy to live, all of it spent forcing himself to move on, to try to warn others. He had past countless burned posts, seen countless people who had fallen victim to the ravaging army. Finally a passing merchant had picked him up and taken him all but to the castle walls, but it was too late for the soldier, but not for Wyndia...he had to warn the king, He thought as the ground rushed up to him, meeting him solidly as he fell...but he didn't feel the fall. He felt nothing.
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"That was easier then expected..." Ryu said, looking at the broken and bruised bodies of the eight attackers on the floor. "For people that killed a platoon of Wyndian high guardsmen they sure were easy..." Ryu turned to Bow, the short plainsman was breathing heavily and shrugged.
"That's wyndian pride for you. They think they're the best, but they can't do anything right..." He said as he picked at the arrow-riddled bodies on the floor, looking to scavenge some arrows since they were too expensive to just buy.
Ryu and Bow then turned to the last remaining wyndian warriors, checking at his watch Ryu realized that the beginnings parts of the procession was coming soon, and they would have to work quickly if they wanted this ambush to work. As if hearing his thoughts Bow reached into his cloak. Muttering a quick apology he dropped three canisters onto the floor. They rolled slowly towards the men and as it did Bow and Ryu quickly reached into a hidden pockets and pulled out masks, pulling them on their faces. They smiled and waved as the Wyndian soldiers first looked in shock...then collapsed on the floor, unconscious.
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The wind rushed past her face as she fell. She felt truly alive as she reactively spread her wings and began to soar. She quickly began to realize why she loved to fly, and how long it had been since she last did it. Against the blue sky her dark wings were a contrast, but Nina didn't mind. It was time the people knew that she existed. She planned on circling the city a few times, then flying over and taking her rightful place besides her mother, she was after all the princess. She began to fly higher and higher, loving every second of it, dreading the fact that she would eventually have to land.../Oh well, what goes up, must come down.../
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Looking across the expansive plain between them and wyndia the soldier became bored. His black uniform stuck to him because of his perfuse perspiration.
"Have they signaled yet?" He heard the voice say,
"No sir, I am doing another pass now," He said as he swung his binoculars around. /What is taking them so long?/ that's when he saw something catch his eye. To the north, very high flew a black flag. /That's high for a flag...but if it is them I don't want to get in trouble for not doing my job..../ "There sir!! The flag is flying!" He spoke unsure of himself, speaking just loud enough so he could here them.
"Very well...today, Wyndia itself dies." The voice replied, turning away.
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Many people say that there is always a calm before the storm, Always heaven before hell, Always life before death. This was one of those moments. No one within the walls of Wyndia, not the guards enjoying the procession, not the people cheering, not even the two lowly Rangers perched at a ledge counting the moments until they struck. No one knew that death was coming.
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/This is a great way to ruin a vacation,/ the lieutenant thought as he walked along the high wall. There were no guards on duty on this wall, it really was pointless, and no army could amass the strength and dominance that Wyndia had amassed. They were not only rulers of themselves but also rulers of all they saw. The Lieutenant's mind was racing, that soldier had died in front of him warning him of the Black Death but it couldn't have been the Black Death. They had all been destroyed 11,000 years ago. But the fact that the dead soldier was from an outpost that hadn't sent in their latest field report showed that something had happened. /I will wait until after the procession to tell the Nobel Council./ He thought to himself, and then he turned to stare into the setting sun. He hated how he was chosen out of all officers to stay on guard duty. He could easily go inside and play cards but the other soldiers were "wingless" and he could see that they stared at him with envy...it was disconcerting, it wasn't his fault he was born this way. Looking out over the expanse that was Wyndia something caught his eye...no not something, some things. Squinting into the setting sun he saw black, pouring over the hillsides like locust /Black Death!!!/ he made a cry alerting the guards inside that something was amiss. The second the guards came out they saw what he saw, and immediately there was movement and action, he had to take control.
"You there, sound the alarm, wave the red flag of war, I shall tell the king" He screamed to the first guard he saw. He could see that the guard was older then he, probably had more experience on the battlefield then he, but he nodded respectably and ran towards the inner hold. The Lieutenant then leaned over the wall and let himself fall, spreading his wings and flying towards where the procession was headed. It was generally illegal for anyone but Highguardsmen and royalty to fly but this was an emergency. He had to warn the king.
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Nina was flying high above the procession looking down upon them with envy, /that was me, I was so loved/..Making one great turn she tried to give herself the courage she would need to fly down their, to land beside her sister and take her rightful place at the hand of her father. Her turn however took her into direct line with the setting sun. The view of the setting sun however was covered by the invading forces, the locust, the /Black Death./ She stifled a cry, the temple of ascension was a few miles outside the city gates, and if her father and the procession made it outside they were doomed. /There are times when the greatest courage, is necessity./ The voice of her old teacher rung in her ears, He had stopped being her teacher when she had ascended, since she could no longer speak to anyone, talk to anyone. She had in a sense, died on that day. She didn't know how but she felt herself diving down towards the procession, down towards fate.
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"When we question our reality, We question ourselves"
Zai-Kuloch, 13453 B.F.
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The market place was heavily populated, Ryu stood out in the open air soaking everything in. I've been here, He thought. He turned in a circle; the hustle and bustle of people going on about their business was becoming an annoyance. He was not yet used to so many people at the same time. /Or am I?/
"Come one man, it's not like this is your first time in the marketplace." Turning quickly towards the sound of the voice Ryu found himself staring face to face with Bow. The cloak that Ryu was wearing was loose fitting and easily concealed the array of weapons he had hidden. The colors were bright and one might think this would make them stand out, but the colors blended in perfectly with the color found all over the city of Wyndia. Looking over the array of people found in Wyndia Ryu was amazed to see a lack of wings. /The books had told me all wyndians had wings...is that past a lie? Or is this future different? /
"Bow," Ryu asked, without turning towards his friend, but knowing he was there. "Why don't these Wyndians have wings?" He could here Bow sigh audibly.
"I thought we went over this before buddy, but I'll give you another history lesson. 11,000 years ago the dragon clan was utterly destroyed by the Urkans for little or no reason. Thousands of years later a young Wyndian princess, Nina, fell in love with one of the last remaining Dragons. Supposedly his mother had encased him inside of a Chrysm crystal. Well, the ensuing marriage mixed the bloodlines and eventually wiped out the Wing trait of the Wyndians. Only the nobles have wings now. It's a status of power, and that status is only kept because of a mix of new science, and massive inbreeding." Bow shuddered at his last thought.
"Whatever, let's start now, it looks like the procession is starting." As Ryu said that the Northern gates that led to the castle opened. The crowd began cheering as the royal soldiers marched into the streets. The royal soldiers, like the royal family, bore the mark of nobility with their wings. Ryu looked farther up the mountain and could see the royal family leaving the castle with their honor guard. There were three of them, a princess, Queen, and the king. Ryu began to back away imperceptibly. He and Bow had an ambush set for later in the procession, and were only here to scout out the amount of guards they would be facing. /If everything goes as planned, I wont have to pull my sword./ But things rarely went according to plan...
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Nina was finally comfortable. Wearing a form fitting short dress with thigh high boots wasn't what made her comfortable. It was the self-made slits in the back for her black wings. The royal family had all left the castle. All who remained was a small company of soldiers and the servants. /I will see my sister's coronation with my own eyes. She is, after all,/ my sister. Although her relationship with her mother and father was strained, Nina had made sure to keep a good relationship with her younger sister. It was the only relationship she had ever had. The only person she could speak to. She stepped out onto her balcony. She could see the procession was just entering the great market. Stretching her wings so they could catch all the sunlight they could she stepped onto the edge of the balcony. /Hope I remember what to do.../ Then she jumped...
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The purple hair blew in the wind, "So this is Wyndia, the city of beauty?" A voice asked.
"Why yes it is sir, this is where the Wyndians have lived for eons. The altitude has made it that no army has ever gotten passed the 4th level before they were defeated."
"We will use that to our advantage," The voice once again said, "We ride now, while they are lazy and happy, while they party and play, they have begun to think that they cannot be defeated...we shall show them the truth." As the voice said that waves upon waves of men finally reached the crest of the mountain. Flying the banner of lost ages, the banner that signified death 11,000 years ago, a banner that meant power. /The Dark Dragons!/
***********************************************************************
The Dark Dragons were like a river of destruction, flowing unhindered by any and all obstacles. Behind them were the fruits of there labor. Towns destroyed, garrisons burned with such efficiency and skill that there was no time to warn the city of Wyndia of the approach. The plan was simple, to send a small amount of soldiers into the city to ambush the outer wall, they would signal the main forces with the waving of the black flag of death, the flag that would signal the destruction of Wyndia.
***********************************************************************
Ryu and Bow jogged throughout the city until they got to the front gate. The procession was going to pass by here, and it was the best place to ambush them, kidnap the princess, and ransom her off. Of course the plan was slightly more complicated then that, but that more or less covered it.
"Lets do it," Bow said, walking up to a window that, thanks to the help of a couple thousand zenny, was wide open. As Bow propped himself underneath the window Ryu ran over and jumped off his back, hearing a slight "oof" as he launched off of him. Deftly grabbing the windowsill he pulled himself up just high enough for him to see inside, and what he saw shocked him. Eight men, dressed in all black were walking up the stairs to the upper level, on the lower level was the remains of the guards on duty. Blood was everywhere. Ryu quickly assessed the situation. /Someone has the same plan as us.../
"Hey Ryu, what's taking you so long up there?" He heard Bow say from the bottom. Ryu then decided to go in no matter what. /We really need the money, so lets go on with the plan./ Pulling out a knife he cut the window out, and slipped in. He could hear his feet squish on someone as he landed. Quickly running to the other side he opened up the door and led Bow in.
"God D-"Bow started saying when Ryu cut him off. His sword was now drawn and he was looking at Bow with fire in his eyes. He signaled with his hands, "Eight men, upstairs, let's go." , and slowly led Bow up, not even bothering to see if he was following him knowing full well that Bow complained a lot, but he always had his back. As Ryu got to the door leading to upstairs he waited until Bow tapped him on the shoulder, a signal that all was ready, then he kicked down the door.
As he entered he could smell the heat of battle, looking across he could see an entire platoon of Wyndian soldiers being beaten by these eight soldiers, he stood for a second soaking in the environment and analyzing his new enemy. Their battle stance was quite similar to the one he had learned in his other life. In fact, it was dangerously similar. /Could they know something?/ Ryu had no chance to dwell on the details as one of the eight had noticed his entrance, turning towards Ryu and Bow he yelled a battle cry "Frey mahk Shai-hulud!!!" /I recognize what he said..."for the glory of Shai-hulud,"...could they know something?/ Before the man could speak another word an arrow appeared out of nowhere to hit the man in the chest. The man was lifted off of his feet and driven back a few feet before landing on the ground with a sickening thud. Ryu heard the familiar sound of Bow's brand new, pump action Boltgun. Firing arrows the length of a grown mans arm at a velocity of 100ft/sec. It was the embodiment of insane power in a bow and arrow. That was the last thing Ryu heard as he slipped into a battle stance, blocking out all diversions. All he saw was the seven men.
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/The pain, the excruciating pain...all I can feel is the pain./
The Wyndian soldier finally reached the front gates of the capitol bearing the news, /The Black Death Lives!!/ The Black Death was a name given to the Dragons that followed the Dark one. They were not evil, but felt that Dragons should rule the earth, and the only way they would rule is to destroy all other governments, to conquer all. They had thought to have been destroyed 11,000 years ago but that was obviously not so. The army had risen from the ashes of myth and legend and was now a reality. /Must warn the king.../ The soldier thought as he slammed on the outer gates, finally the door had opened and standing before him was a lieutenant, dressed in his formal dress he was a stark contrast. The soldier's clean cut look, his rigid stance, his boundless energy...and his beautiful white wings. They set him apart from the other soldiers. Broken, bruised, battered, and most of all wingless the soldier felt insignificant. Like he was nothing.
"The black death..." Were the only words that escaped his mouth, he lost the will and energy to live, all of it spent forcing himself to move on, to try to warn others. He had past countless burned posts, seen countless people who had fallen victim to the ravaging army. Finally a passing merchant had picked him up and taken him all but to the castle walls, but it was too late for the soldier, but not for Wyndia...he had to warn the king, He thought as the ground rushed up to him, meeting him solidly as he fell...but he didn't feel the fall. He felt nothing.
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"That was easier then expected..." Ryu said, looking at the broken and bruised bodies of the eight attackers on the floor. "For people that killed a platoon of Wyndian high guardsmen they sure were easy..." Ryu turned to Bow, the short plainsman was breathing heavily and shrugged.
"That's wyndian pride for you. They think they're the best, but they can't do anything right..." He said as he picked at the arrow-riddled bodies on the floor, looking to scavenge some arrows since they were too expensive to just buy.
Ryu and Bow then turned to the last remaining wyndian warriors, checking at his watch Ryu realized that the beginnings parts of the procession was coming soon, and they would have to work quickly if they wanted this ambush to work. As if hearing his thoughts Bow reached into his cloak. Muttering a quick apology he dropped three canisters onto the floor. They rolled slowly towards the men and as it did Bow and Ryu quickly reached into a hidden pockets and pulled out masks, pulling them on their faces. They smiled and waved as the Wyndian soldiers first looked in shock...then collapsed on the floor, unconscious.
***********************************************************************
The wind rushed past her face as she fell. She felt truly alive as she reactively spread her wings and began to soar. She quickly began to realize why she loved to fly, and how long it had been since she last did it. Against the blue sky her dark wings were a contrast, but Nina didn't mind. It was time the people knew that she existed. She planned on circling the city a few times, then flying over and taking her rightful place besides her mother, she was after all the princess. She began to fly higher and higher, loving every second of it, dreading the fact that she would eventually have to land.../Oh well, what goes up, must come down.../
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Looking across the expansive plain between them and wyndia the soldier became bored. His black uniform stuck to him because of his perfuse perspiration.
"Have they signaled yet?" He heard the voice say,
"No sir, I am doing another pass now," He said as he swung his binoculars around. /What is taking them so long?/ that's when he saw something catch his eye. To the north, very high flew a black flag. /That's high for a flag...but if it is them I don't want to get in trouble for not doing my job..../ "There sir!! The flag is flying!" He spoke unsure of himself, speaking just loud enough so he could here them.
"Very well...today, Wyndia itself dies." The voice replied, turning away.
***********************************************************************
Many people say that there is always a calm before the storm, Always heaven before hell, Always life before death. This was one of those moments. No one within the walls of Wyndia, not the guards enjoying the procession, not the people cheering, not even the two lowly Rangers perched at a ledge counting the moments until they struck. No one knew that death was coming.
***********************************************************************
/This is a great way to ruin a vacation,/ the lieutenant thought as he walked along the high wall. There were no guards on duty on this wall, it really was pointless, and no army could amass the strength and dominance that Wyndia had amassed. They were not only rulers of themselves but also rulers of all they saw. The Lieutenant's mind was racing, that soldier had died in front of him warning him of the Black Death but it couldn't have been the Black Death. They had all been destroyed 11,000 years ago. But the fact that the dead soldier was from an outpost that hadn't sent in their latest field report showed that something had happened. /I will wait until after the procession to tell the Nobel Council./ He thought to himself, and then he turned to stare into the setting sun. He hated how he was chosen out of all officers to stay on guard duty. He could easily go inside and play cards but the other soldiers were "wingless" and he could see that they stared at him with envy...it was disconcerting, it wasn't his fault he was born this way. Looking out over the expanse that was Wyndia something caught his eye...no not something, some things. Squinting into the setting sun he saw black, pouring over the hillsides like locust /Black Death!!!/ he made a cry alerting the guards inside that something was amiss. The second the guards came out they saw what he saw, and immediately there was movement and action, he had to take control.
"You there, sound the alarm, wave the red flag of war, I shall tell the king" He screamed to the first guard he saw. He could see that the guard was older then he, probably had more experience on the battlefield then he, but he nodded respectably and ran towards the inner hold. The Lieutenant then leaned over the wall and let himself fall, spreading his wings and flying towards where the procession was headed. It was generally illegal for anyone but Highguardsmen and royalty to fly but this was an emergency. He had to warn the king.
***********************************************************************
Nina was flying high above the procession looking down upon them with envy, /that was me, I was so loved/..Making one great turn she tried to give herself the courage she would need to fly down their, to land beside her sister and take her rightful place at the hand of her father. Her turn however took her into direct line with the setting sun. The view of the setting sun however was covered by the invading forces, the locust, the /Black Death./ She stifled a cry, the temple of ascension was a few miles outside the city gates, and if her father and the procession made it outside they were doomed. /There are times when the greatest courage, is necessity./ The voice of her old teacher rung in her ears, He had stopped being her teacher when she had ascended, since she could no longer speak to anyone, talk to anyone. She had in a sense, died on that day. She didn't know how but she felt herself diving down towards the procession, down towards fate.
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