Hello guys! Chapter 6 is ready for you to read! *runs off*

I had nine steeds. We would need more, if we were to make the horses an advantage over the Shukun. As the afternoon waned I had -with the help of other women in my village- collected a large amount of apples and horse saddles. Both were essential in the training and taming of horses.

I had slept early, as I was unable to search for steeds in the dangerous night and I would need as long as possible to find them. Divonna too slept, for I would need to fly in order to see as much of the area and, hopefully, horses as possible.

When the sun first began to light the land, I climbed from my bed and slipped down into the first floor, where a young girl waited eagerly.

"Can I go with you? Please!" Her eyes -like emeralds hiding fire- searched mine as her face gathered a pleading look.

Smiling slightly, I turned to where the saddles and fruit had been bundled into two large sacks. "Can you carry one of these?"

Squealing with joy, the child ran at the bag holding apples, piling it in her arms and struggled to carry the heavy load.

Outside, a light brown mare stood, with a young man sitting on her back. Four large saddlebags were strapped to the steed.

The rider, named Brian, helped myself and the child pile the saddles (minimised) and apples into the bags. Then I left him, turning towards Divonna's stable. The young girl moved not a metre from me, staring in awe at the beautiful mare.

"Do you want to ride her?"

Utter excitement and joy crossed her face. "Really! I can?"

"Sure," I replied, leading Divonna into the open. She stretched her wings, neighing quietly. Vaulting onto the saddle, I helped the girl up. She muttered her name -Kestrel- when I asked, then was silent as I strapped her legs into the stirrups, a rather complex network of knots and straps, designed to keep the rider steadied when flying. Tapping the Pegasus' neck, I whispered for her to fly. Divonna was not just enchanted in body, but also mind. She understood me and recognised my voice, obeying without confusion.

She began to run forwards, gaining speed. Outspreading her wings, she leaped upwards and flew smoothly into the air. Gasping, Kestrel stared around. The buildings of Royale shrunk until we were around fifty metres in the air, able to see the entire land.

The three villages lay in a grassland, surrounded by hills, almost a shallow valley. South of Royale, forest covered the low hills, obscuring vision to a river that ran between the forest and a desert. West of Aruthi's village, the grassland continued on, wild animals, big cats and bears alongside herbivores like sheep and cows. The river continued on towards the Quilla, where it spread out in a shallow lake right beside the village, a swamp between that and the ocean. North, the grassland climbed upwards as bare hills. A ruin of an old fortress sat on the highest point, ruled over by vicious monsters of the night.

Whislt taking in the view, I scanned the open areas for horses, whether brown, chestnut, black or white. The white I searched for with earnest, the colour of Unicorns and Pegasus'.

(O}======§‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›

Ekra and a small girl, whom I assumed to be her assistant, rose into the air, relying on the wings of Divonna. Below, a packhorse followed them on the ground, trotting gently towards the ruined fortress. Turning from the steeds and riders, I viewed the Royale's miner, David Miller, carrying a large bag of what I assumed to be iron ore. Among the Japanese villagers was a blacksmith, who excelled in making weapons and armour. I knew little of the craft, but would have to hope he was talented. Even with the villages combined, there was no more than a few hundred defenders. Despite our advantages- horses, knowledge of the area and time -the invaders had not anchored near the Japanese village, instead going east, to where the Indian village lay, and the shallow lake that was perfect for a ship. Sentries of all races had been posted along the border of the swamp; hidden in trees and watching out for a blue-sailed boat.

A war was coming, as I knew very well. I could not fight any more than a child.

"Aruthi, any ideas as to what else we should do?" Sicomba had stood beside me for quite some time, watching the many people busy with their pre-battle duties with a silent sadness.

"Aside from run, no." Indeed, I doubted we would survive this. It upset me that so many deaths would be wrought simply because of one man's madness.

"The Shukun would hunt us down, were we to flee." He said this quietly, almost as a whisper. I observed Sicomba, noting the way his blue eyes constantly flickered east, searching for the blue sails. His entire body was tensed, waiting for the moment his uncle's soldiers would rise into view.

"I shall go assist with the moving of provisions. You say you are a good fighter, go help teach those that need it." Saying this, I walked off, leaving the young man to his own fear.

It was Ekra's idea to attempt to teach not just the men, but the women and older children in the art of battle. It had been met with many barriers, but she had convinced some to go and take arms. It was a reckless idea, as most women hadn't touched a weapon their whole lives, and they had little time to learn. But it gave us a few more numbers, and put us just a little closer to surviving.

(O}======§‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›‹›

By sunset I had found and tamed a great number of horses, whom Brian had sent back to Royale to be given riders. Kestrel and I were about to search for steeds once more, when yells from the East swept towards us on the wind. Torches lighting up the already dimming sky, I watched as the few people who were still in the Quilla fled, in the wake of a large ship with large blue sails. Instantly I commanded Divonna to fly close to the ground, swooping towards our armies.

Brian and Aruthi were waiting for me, clearing an area for Divonna to land. I was handed a diamond sword, which I promptly discarded in favour of lighter iron. Donning armour fit for one who would fight on a Pegasus -thick leather on my torso and legs, an iron helmet and strong iron boots- I called forth those who had been chosen to ride the other flying horses which I had found today.

There were five, each wearing similar armour to mine. Two, I noticed with pride, were female. I briefly instructed them on tricks to riding in the air, demanding that they not do things such as pull on the mane or kick the creatures. "A Pegasus is a gentle creature, unused to cruelty. They will not respond well to it."

I turned from them as I leapt back on Divonna, instructing Kestral to stay on the ground.

"I want to fight!" She glared at me, not letting go of the saddle.

"You are too young. Shelter with the other children in Aruthi's village. I will see you soon."

"You were only eleven yourself when your dad took you out at night." Understanding the impact of this blow, Kestrel walked off, merging into the crowd. I stared after her, barely seeing. Sorrow filled my body, I was drowning in it. It climbed to my throat, where it sat there, making me feel like I would vomit. Bending forward, I pressed my face into Divonna's mane, hiding my tears.

"Ekra! They're coming out of the boat!" Sicomba's voice was puffed; he sprinted to me with urgency. Understanding, I numbly ordered the other Pegasus fliers to follow me, taking Divonna into the forest, where we would not be seen. Several foot soldiers accompanied us, ensuring no mobs of the night would lower out numbers.

Perhaps fifteen minutes later, a low tone like metal striking metal resounded through the valley, and the Pegasus' spread their wings, leaping into battle.

I promise the battle will be good. I've planned out the main points, and have a few soldier OC's. If anyone else wants to give me some, pm or review. Just throw in whatever you believe is necessary.

I'll see you when the next chapter is done! Bye!