01-09-2010, 08:25 PM
She stood at the top of the bluff watching the army of the usurper, a small smudge on the horizon coming forth to meet those loyal to the true heir. She turned to look back at the men that had begun to pitches their tents and ready themselves for the battle of their lives tomorrow. Many would fall, she knew that, but many would earn more marks to show their status in the ranks of the warriors. She flicked her ears back, surprised that the usurper had even had the guts to come to meet them halfway. She had expected the bastard to make them drag the war to his doorstep, tiring those loyal to DaVinci’s stand and causing unneeded havoc in the lands. She would be the first to admit that she was glad that he had come to meet them.
DaVinci had said he’d only done it because he was afraid to be viewed as a coward by the people and she had agreed after thinking it over. She would have believed him a coward if he hadn’t taken a stand to fight for what he’d stolen. Zana was silent as she brooded over what was to come, what had happened in the lands. She had been doubtful when Aisleran had said that the people would appear out of the woodwork to support DaVinci but the closer they drew to the battle more and more did seem to materialize out of nowhere. She knew that their numbers were nowhere close to that of the rival but she believed that in the end they would triumph for they fought for the greater good and the people deserved a just ruler. There was still an uneasy feeling as she watched and waited.
Aisleran had found her near dusk standing upon the bluff and in that looming silent way of his he stood with her offering her comfort. They had done well to mend things between them and in the end she’d found that she’d come to care for the warrior in turn. She smiled slightly to herself as she leaned back against his frame, the warmth of his body radiating through her slight frame as she closed her eyes and listened as he spoke softly, of what the commanders had planned and where she would be positioned.
None had thought it was wise to place DaVinci and Zana close in the action together, to lose the heir and the mother of their future in the same blow was too much for them. There wasn’t too much space planted between the two but it was enough to cause Zana to fret. She would ride along with Nesmed in one of their war chariots, a thing that she did not find amusing. She had little trust in the chariots or the creatures who pulled them. She’d rather be upon her own pawpads but she wasn’t going to push her luck, they didn’t have to let her fight at all. She meekly let them go about their plans once they’d explained everything. She had sighed to herself after that all and left to find her solace on the hilltop.
She’d let her mind slip back to the scene of the commanders and DaVinci deep in discussion, the deep crimson cloak thrown over his shoulder, the mark of the Ri on the broach glimmering dully in the dappled light that shifted through the forest. She was brought back to reality as she realized that Aisleran who had been combing his claws through her unruly curls, had given up and his voice had been cut short as he turned towards the darkness. She titled her head to the side to make out the form of DaVinci coming to join them atop the rise.
She sighed to herself once more, knowing that Aisleran would disappear shortly and leave her and her sibling alone to spend the last remaining moments gazing out upon what tomorrow would be a river of blood. She shuttered at the thought and gazed after Aisleran wistfully as he finally released his place to DaVinci. She shot her brother a gaze of daggers as the warrior left them alone. Her voice was bitter as she asked, ”Chaperoning now?” No ill was meant by her words, she just would have rather not seem her sibling before the start of the battle, knowing that it would only cause her more grief and worry; something she wasn’t sure she could deal with.
DaVinci had said he’d only done it because he was afraid to be viewed as a coward by the people and she had agreed after thinking it over. She would have believed him a coward if he hadn’t taken a stand to fight for what he’d stolen. Zana was silent as she brooded over what was to come, what had happened in the lands. She had been doubtful when Aisleran had said that the people would appear out of the woodwork to support DaVinci but the closer they drew to the battle more and more did seem to materialize out of nowhere. She knew that their numbers were nowhere close to that of the rival but she believed that in the end they would triumph for they fought for the greater good and the people deserved a just ruler. There was still an uneasy feeling as she watched and waited.
Aisleran had found her near dusk standing upon the bluff and in that looming silent way of his he stood with her offering her comfort. They had done well to mend things between them and in the end she’d found that she’d come to care for the warrior in turn. She smiled slightly to herself as she leaned back against his frame, the warmth of his body radiating through her slight frame as she closed her eyes and listened as he spoke softly, of what the commanders had planned and where she would be positioned.
None had thought it was wise to place DaVinci and Zana close in the action together, to lose the heir and the mother of their future in the same blow was too much for them. There wasn’t too much space planted between the two but it was enough to cause Zana to fret. She would ride along with Nesmed in one of their war chariots, a thing that she did not find amusing. She had little trust in the chariots or the creatures who pulled them. She’d rather be upon her own pawpads but she wasn’t going to push her luck, they didn’t have to let her fight at all. She meekly let them go about their plans once they’d explained everything. She had sighed to herself after that all and left to find her solace on the hilltop.
She’d let her mind slip back to the scene of the commanders and DaVinci deep in discussion, the deep crimson cloak thrown over his shoulder, the mark of the Ri on the broach glimmering dully in the dappled light that shifted through the forest. She was brought back to reality as she realized that Aisleran who had been combing his claws through her unruly curls, had given up and his voice had been cut short as he turned towards the darkness. She titled her head to the side to make out the form of DaVinci coming to join them atop the rise.
She sighed to herself once more, knowing that Aisleran would disappear shortly and leave her and her sibling alone to spend the last remaining moments gazing out upon what tomorrow would be a river of blood. She shuttered at the thought and gazed after Aisleran wistfully as he finally released his place to DaVinci. She shot her brother a gaze of daggers as the warrior left them alone. Her voice was bitter as she asked, ”Chaperoning now?” No ill was meant by her words, she just would have rather not seem her sibling before the start of the battle, knowing that it would only cause her more grief and worry; something she wasn’t sure she could deal with.