I'm so sorry this took WAY to long. You know, or remember, how school is/was. I'll make more time for this, I promise.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters except of course the ones I make up.

Notes:

The last chapter ended at late evening.

2. I don't know how many people are in a group of the King's Guard so I guessed about 50.

Ch. 15: The War Has Begun

The troop left early before dawn the next morning. Not knowing the immortals exact position, they divided the one-hundred fifty-odd man and women. They did have one advantage though: they knew the entrance. Remembering the way she took to his cottage, Daine was able to draw and map the area.

Using this information, Alanna decided to put sixty people in the front and thirty on the other three sides. They also split up the animals and immortals. Thirty animals went on each group along with five immortals.

Tkaa and the leader of the Stormwings, Queen Barzha, went with Alanna in the front group. Her mate, Lord Hebakh, went with Onua in the back exit. Each group also had at least one mage so they could communicate.

The small army readied themselves among the trees surrounding the 'empty' clearing. When they were all hidden and in position, Numair signaled the other mages to start the spell that could let them talk (the word slips my mind right now).

"Are you all ready?" asked Numair into the glowing globe.

"Yes," the other three said in unison.

He looked back at Daine, Alanna, and George beside him. They, too, nodded.

"Then let's get this show on the road."

He closed his hand and looked at the Lioness. "You remember the spell?"

"Of course."

They looked toward the invisible barrier and started to chant:

"Schutzen ela feste sena mauer regan herunter."

They repeated this three times and let their magic out with the last. The barrier shimmered then burst into the sky. A bright light, so bright anyone who witnessed it will never forget, filled the air, blinding everyone.

It vanished as soon as it appeared to reveal a scene so large it was hard to believe.

Immortals of every kind of species to all different heights and colors encircled the now two story house. Unicorns, spiderens, Coldfangs, and other land-walking immortals were positioned in columns where they could attack at their best.

Stormwings, flying monkeys, and hurroks hovered above them, all showing razor sharp teeth. Looking around, Daine noticed at least five species she didn't recognize.

Alanna let out a battle cry and surged forward, soon followed by her comrades. The other group leaders yelled orders before following, weapons at the ready.

The sounds of shields hitting claws, bow snaps, metal hitting steel feathers, swords piercing flesh, and screams filled the air as the war raged on.

Arrow after arrow Daine shot getting her target 9/10 of the time. She ran her way to the entrance, keeping an eye on the world around her.

She stopped and aimed an arrow at a hurrok as he came forward, claws out-stretched at a man-at-arms. She shot but it was too late. Before letting a pained cry, the creature's claws racked the young mans face, spraying her with blood. Both man and creature went down among the tattered battlefield.

Daine held back tears as she continued to run. Most, if not all, of these people were her friends getting hurt or killed because of her. The man whose blood fell from her face was one of the best archers she knew, and they would always play against each other.

I'll get him for this, she thought as she finally broke free of the hundreds of fighters.

After making sure no enemy was looking her way, Daine ran behind a large boulder that looked to be used by sentries.

Getting a handkerchief she wiped her face and waited for Numair to call to her. It wasn't long. She was putting the cloth away when a flicker of light hovered above her ear.

"Go in and be careful."

She sighed as Numair's voice faded and took out a black gem held by a gray thong. She tied it around her bow and arrows and swung them around her shoulder as the items turned invisible.

The young woman stood up and raced into the cottage. She searched the first level twice only to find no one there, then ran up the stairs.

Daine walked around until she found an open door and the end of the hall. She leaned against the wall and looked inside.

A medium, well-carved desk and chair stood in the middle of the room covered with papers and folders. Perin stood behind it, chewing a thumb nail as he gazed out the window at the bloody scene below.

He's going to pay for what he's done to their lives, Daine thought, thinking of all the animals she had to cure, with his.

She plastered a bitter smile on her face and walked inside.

"Oh, Perin."

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