On The Outskirts...

[Raven Cedis Fey]

She sat beside the tree, waiting patiently for Alyssea to show up. She hadnt a chance to speak to her the day after the conflict, because a few of her privates had come up to her asking for help with their weapons, and she wasnt about to let them go into battle unprepared. She sent a message and could only hope the young Drowess had received it and was on her way here. Some of the things she had been told had stirred much curiosity in her, but she wasnt about to let it affect her too much.

[Alyssea Moonshadow]

Looking about, she made sure no one was following her. She hadnt met up with Raven because she was sent a message telling her she was a bit too preoccupied, but now she received another and hurried to her. She hadnt come here to cause trouble, but felt that's exactly what she had done. She remembered Raven's General, and the way those two looked at each other and it just made her shudder. Coming up a little hill, which led just outside of Menelus, she saw a familiar face resting against a tree, and she hurried over to her, her Imaskari Kamas clanking against her bow set and the other things she carried at her side.

[Raven Cedis Fey]

"You've made it, good." She stood, even before Alyssea had made it to her. She looked at the girl with some kindness. She knew no one would be around today, or at least she hoped, and thought it would be best to speak here instead of a spot where there was constant noise, and battle, and of course people moving about. She eyed her and then pulled out, the letter she had been given. "And the meaning of this is what exactly? It didnt say anything of importance, not to me either way. Besides, it was address to you, Alyssea." She smiled briefly.

[Alyssea Moonshadow]

She walked right to her into the peace and solitude the tree she was at, offered. She blushed when she heard what she was told, and turned around. "I realized I'd given you the wrong one after I had left." She pulled out the correct letter and handed it to her, while taking hers back. "I dont know what it says, but they told me to give to you specifically. Suljack, seemed eager for you to read it, no idea why, though."

[Raven Cedis Fey]

She handed her letter back, and grabbed her own, pocketing it. She knew better than to read it here. There could be spies about, and there was always the offchance that some enemy troops would appear around this area. She looked around, and leaned against the tree, crossing her arms. "Were you really sent to do this or did you eagerly accept this mission, Aly?"

[Alyssea Moonshadow]

She smiled sheepishly. "Well, a little bit of both?" She shook her head, still smiling. "I chose to do this. I couldnt handle being locked up in the Mansion for much longer. And since I seemed to be the newest Harper recruit to finish my training they sent me out. Of course when they mentioned your name, I had to go. You're sorta like my Den Mother, bringing me into this really cool place, after all. Beside, I wanted to see this war for myself."

[Raven Cedis Fey]

"This war specifically? You're still too young Alyssea, you shouldnt be seeing these type of things to begin with. Besides, it's just like any other, trying to oppose threats and evil. The same ol' stance of war. Either way, you'll be sticking closely to be, as long as you're on you're 'research' into this war. I wont let anything happen to you, you have my promise." She looked around. "So what's the real reason you're here. You mentioned something about something behind this war?"

[Alyssea Moonshadow]

She nodded. "If I were you, Raven, I'd really take a look at that letter. I mean, I was sent out to give it to you not even five days ago. Surprised I made it this fast." She bit her lower lip, obviously something else on her mind. "Raven....You..." She sighed and just shook her head. "Thanks for keeping me by your side, I appreciate it. Especially with General Whiplash around." She smiled a bit.

[Raven Cedis Fey]

"No, go on and say what you'd like." She pulled out the letter again. "Very well, I'll read it now, if it'll stop you from worrying Aly." She opened the envelope and pulled out a long piece of parchment and read it silently. It had a lot of information and detail in it, and what was written did not seem to please her at all, taking into account the facial expressions she was giving.

[Alyssea Moonshadow]

She looked at her, wondering what the letter said. She knew that the High Harper's had closed it with some type of magical seal that only the person it was meant for could open it. She found out the hard way. She found herself fighting to stop herself from peaking, but she just looked away. "It's just, I'm not all too sure about all of this. I have a feeling that something really bad is going on. I remember walking past the meeting room and there were so many High Harper's around, they seemed worried about something, not sure what though. But everyone around that place, everyone that had a clue of what's going on, walked around so gloomy."

[Raven Cedis Fey]

She nodded slowly, as she finished the letter and placed it back in the envelope, looking at her. "There was reason for them to act in such a way. I believe there is something more as well, but they've only giving me the basics of you being here. For now, you're to stay with me at all times, and when I've given the 'okay' you can go on your mission to find out as much information behind this war as you can. After you've gotten enough, we'll be heading to the Mansion, together." She eyed her seriously. "Something very dangerous is going on, Alyssea. Be careful at all times. If you come across any enemy soldiers where you are forced to kill them, make sure to check them thoroughly for any letters or anything of note, alright?"

[Alyssea Moonshadow]

She didnt like the way Raven was speaking. She already had a small inkling that something was happening but she wasnt sure of what. And now she still doesnt know, but something in the way Raven was speaking was really frightening her in what was going on. She had seen a few High Harper's act so differently, no longer cheerful, just somber, and some even just like Zombies, she shuddered slightly and nodded. "Alright, Raven...Rave...wh-...what's going on?"

[Raven Cedis Fey]

She smiled warmly to Alyssea. She didnt want to worry her. She looked down, but said nothing. "Just be careful, alright? Dont worry about this, right now. You have something to do. Let me worry about it, alright? You just do your best in staying by my side, alright?" She squeezed her shoulder. "I'm going to be training you myself, so I expect you to be at your full alertness."

[Alyssea Moonshadow]

"Rave, please. I know I might just be 65 years old, but war doesnt worry people that much. I've lived a good part of my life during war, where my people attack and fight other Elven races. I know how war is, I know the fright and precautions people take, but never something like this." She sighed. "I wasnt the only new recruit to be sent in a hurry. There were 3 more who passed all trials and tests and were sent to speak to their Commanding officers as quickly as I was sent out. They wouldnt sent us out, over this war, would they?"

[Raven Cedis Fey]

"Alyssea, listen to me. I respect your eagerness and your curiosity, which are the traits that I thought would be valuable, but do not ask anymore questions. If you want to know something, then I'll tell you something, but after this, dont ask anymore questions. I'm giving you the basics, and that's all. We're about to see something very dangerous and deadly come across these lands, and not just this city, everywhere around this world, it seems. People's lives will change, whether they wish it to, or not. This is all I know. They didnt tell me much, just to watch over you, and keep an eye out on anything and everything that was suspicious. I'm as anxious as you to find out what's going on, but first and foremost I have other duties, just as you do. So until the time they feel the need to tell us, or until the time we slowly discover the answers ourselves, we'll move on with our lives, do you understand me?"