What is to come?

[Vel]

Torchwood was wandering through the land. A raven by the name of Giltrent just informed him of the dark herds planning something. He had said it was a plot to take over. He wasn't sure if it was a certian land, herd or even the island. All the ebony creature told him was that the would for sure carry there devious plan out in the near future.

His daggers struck the earth as he made his way to go inform Fiana. His light banners streamed nehind his slim, strong bodice. Her rounded most of the land at a swift canter. After a while his breaths became laboured and his legs began to weaken. He slowed to a jog and then to a walk. He stuck his velvety maw up into the air and whiffed it, trying to catch the sweet scent of the ebony mare.

As soon as the wind shifted, he caught it. She was just north of him. He broke out into a western lope and continued onward. He slowed as he saw the obsiadian form of the fae. "Fiana." he called out in a lower voice, "I have news for you." He continued to walk up to her.

[sibber-chow]

Fiana had found herself grazing in the outlands just beside Lider de Montana. The ebony knew that foilage levels would slowly decrease as the lands went through Fall and Winter. Since there was no one really living amongst the Outlands, she assumed it best to conserve the places with more foilage and graze upon the lowerlands, even if the foilage was more scarce here in the Outlands.

Hearing the light stag's hooves beat in a western lope, the fae perked her ears. Lifting her head, neck crested slightly, the mare looked behind her. With a soft nicker, she made greeting to her fellow Alpha.

As he spoke, she pranched her long legs beneath her medium draft bodice. Her tail was swishing behind her as she managed to turn her form to face him. He seemed slightly distraught, and the faes own face distorted with a hint of concern. "What is it, Torchwood?"
Her brown orbs were on him as he spoke, and her face, thought slightly uneased, remained relatively calm. She couldn't show weakness by being overconcerned.

[Vel]

Once he heard the sound of her voice in reply, he moved his form forth and stopped when he was directly in fron of Fiana's ebony bodice. "A raven by the calling of Giltrent has given me something to tell you." He then paused, gathering up his breath so he could tell Fiana what he had been told. "Giltrent was informed by a source, who he won't tell me who it is. His source told him that the Darks were planning to take over. Hes not sure if they are taking over a herd's land, or if they are going to try and control the isle. Giltrent and the other ravens have reason to believe that their intentions are to try and rule the island. More than three Dark herds have recently spoken of taking over. As for when this war will happen, no one is sure as of right now. It could me tomarrow, or months from now." He then stopped. When was this thing going to happen? Torchwood was ready for it if it happened today, tomarrow, or even a two months from now. But was the rest of the herd? "A great war will soon start, my dear, and we must be ready. We must get our herd members and warriors ready, and try to make allies with as many herds as possible." Torchwood's sky optics searched Fiana's face for her reaction.

[sibber-chow]

Watching his face greet her head-on, the ebony's auds twitched forward. As he spoke, they flitted about from time to time, her facial expression barely changing throughout the whole. Possibly the only real change was a faint grimace before she spoke, "as could be expected of the darks. The majority are greedy horses, and if I know anything of them, they will go for one land and then the whole land."

Pausing to think it over, her expression lightened slightly. "Fortunately, we already have one strong ally and one useful one. But, I do agree that we should obtain as many more as can be obtain. Lassan and his lead warrior will be paying our lands a visit soon, and then we can discuss what alliance should be made next." Fiana had to make sure and make alliances that her other alliances, especially that with Lassan's herd, would be okay with. If she didn't, she would be hurting the herd more than helping them.

She wouldn't worry too much about the Darks, not until they were on the move. Though, she did make sure to tell a dedicated raven, named Malli, to fly out and inform Phantom to start training the warriors. The raven flew off with the message, and Fiana turned her bodice back to Torchwood.

Raising her nose to touch his, Fiana nuzzle it gently. "Thank you," she murmured softly, her breath caressing his own nose.

[Vel]

Torchwood listened as Fiana spoke. Indeed, she was correct about the Darks taking over one thing then having to have the next. A greedy brood they were. He knew this from first hand experiences.

Fiana then paused in her speech a if pondering on what he had said again. Her expression lightened as she spoke about the allies. Torchwood had knowledge of the allies, but he had yet to meet them, well except for the ravens. Torchwood knew they would have to make new alliances when the Darks were ready to make their move. Hopefully they could be halted in their attempt to take over the island. If they started to suceed, things would turn out as they did centuries ago when the Elementals ruled the isle.

Thinking of the Elementals, Torchwood searched through his mind to recall if any of their herd mates were in fact Elementals. Having at least on elemental would increase their chance of winning battles. Destiny's calling rushed into his mind. The brindle essa was an Elemental. He knew that, he just wasn't sure on what herd blood she had in her. Another plus about having the brindle was that she had volunteered to become a warrior.

Torchwood came out of his thoughts when he felt Fiana's black velvet maw touch his own pale one. He nuzzled her back and replied "You are most welcome Fiana." He stood there silently waiting for the ebony to speak.

[sibber-chow]

For the longest, Fiana didn't speak. Her ears twitched as the wind sent bronzed leaves fluttering past the scene. It was a rather poetic image, the two equine resting their noses gently against each other as the leaves seemed to dance by; it was almost as if time paused on the peaceful scene. But peace never lasted long...

Brown orbs searched his, her whole body staying steady, never really losing her composure. That was until she heard the caw of a raven nearby. At first, the ebony assumed it was her favored raven returning to her. But it soon hit her that this sound was different. These caws were shrill and high-pitched, almost as if it came from the beaks of something smaller than a raven. There was nothing mistaking a raven caw though, it had to be one of them... and then it hit her, the fledglings!

Half-rearing, the ebony twisted her body to the North. Stomping her grey hooves down upon the already fallen leaves, she raced off. Her ebony banner trailed behind her, and a nicker beckoned her mate to follow. There was trouble at Raven territory -- a predator!

Indeed, as they came into sight of the scene, four raccoons were scouting out an easy meal. No, they had no concern for the already hatched ravens, but their eggs were a delecacy. The ravens had left their group of nests to forage, and the common problem they faced was that they had to leave the nest unguarded.

But now, Fiana was living up to her part of the alliance. Charging in on the low-to-the ground tree, she let out a bellow. And, the raccoons scuttled, some jumping from the small tree. At first, they seemed as if they were going to run, but one brave one lunged at the ebony mare latching onto her back. Fiana snorted, bucking the creature from her back, a few wounds to show the attack. Fortunately, seeing their friend booted off so quickly, the others gave up and ran. And, seeing himself alone, the last one darted away. Fiana followed him a few meters, staying on his tail the whole time. Finally, she stopped, snorting as she watched the raccoons running.

"Torchwood, inspect the nests, make sure no eggs or fledglings were damaged..." The tree was very small in height, but large in width, so it held many nests but was small enough that a horse at 15 hands could see over it.

[Vel]

Torchwood sighed contently as the breeze sent a few coloured leaves flying around the two equine. Torchwood's sky blue orbs searched Fiana's own brown one, as they appeared to be doing the same. His relaxed audits shot up when he heard the caw of a raven. He didn't look in the direction of the ebony bird, just assuming that it was the raven that Fiana had sent out to deliver a message.

Torchwood's head shot up about at the same time as Fiana's did. The pitch of the call must have hit her as well, it wasn't the sound of a call to get one's atttention, it was a call of panic and alert. Next theing he knew, Fiana half reared and turned to the north. Her call rang out as she called for Torchwood to come with her. With out hesitation, the pale stag reared and took off after the obsidian essa.

When he arrived at the ravens' territory, his sky opticals searched the landscape for the threat. He lifted his maw just a few centimeters so he could test the air for the predator. He then saw the four bandits. They were after the ravens' eggs, and maybe the hatchlings. Torchwood saw that no adult raven was there to protect the young. It seemed a bit odd to him that they did not have one looking over the young. He had passed by this spot many times and he had always seen an adult guarding the eggs and hatchlings.

Torchwood turned his dished face as he heard Fiana lunge at the bandits. Torchwood didn't charge after them, seeing as Fiana could take them on, and he'd get in her way. The bloody things were so small that if Torchwood went to go help Fiana, the racoons would be able to slip between the two equines. So all Torchwood could do was be a spectator.

He watched for the few minutes as Fiana fought them, wishing that he could to fight along her side. As soon as the rascals were gone, Fiana asked him to check on the ravens' brood. He walked over to the small tree and glanced at every nest. He made count of the eggs, which seemed to all be there. All the hatchling were fine, just wide eyed and scared. He then noticed one hatchling missing. He looked over all the other nests to see if the little guy had hopped in with one of the other babies.

His optics were then drawn to the ground. The lost hatchling was at the base of the tree. It seemed to be alive, just knocked out. Torchwood brought his velvety maw to the ground and gently picked up the little grey fuzz. He placed it in the nest that it belonged. He glanced at it once more before turning away. "All clear Fiana!" he called out to the ebony.

He then made his way over to her. He looked at the claw marks on her back. "You alright?" he asked her.

[sibber-chow]

The ebony pawed the grass-scattered lands beneath her feet, more dirt coming up than actual grass. Her nostrils flared, crown turning back toward the Palomino. Fiana's breaths and temperment lightened as he chocolate orbs scanned not only her mate, but the tree as well. Smiling as he aided the hatchling back into its nest, Fiana awaited his call of clearance. The mare gave a swift nod before turning to look at the wounds he referred to.

Three marks oozed a light crimson. Snorting, she bobbed her head. "I'm fine, they just sting a little."

Glancing towards Lider de Montana just to their side, she spoke again, "shall we graze up there. The pickings down here are a little sparse." Truly, the mare wasn't that hungry any more, but the land above was much more aesthetically appeasing than the bitter outlands. And, the mountain was just above the tree, and not too tall, so they'd be able to hear if the raven's nest was once more intruded upon.

OoC|| Blah, sorry... muse is low.

[Vel]

Torchwood's auds twitched as he gave a small nod when Fiana said that she was alright. Now that he was sure she was okay, he continued to listen when she spoke again. He pondred on what she said for a moment and then nodded. "Sounds lovely." he replied, indicating that he was ready to move on. With one last glance towards the raven nests, he walked off in the direction of Lider de Montana. He flicked his sugary tail, stopped, and waited for Fiana to join him.

He glanced up as he saw a raven circling down. The ebony bird land on his rump. Torchwood turned his Arab head and saw that the raven was Giltrent, the one he had spoken with earlier. "Whats is it Giltrent?" Torchwood asked his winged friend.

The bird looked to Torchwood and then to Fiana. "I have news for the two of you." he spoke loudly enough so the approaching Fiana could hear him. "A spy of ours was in Terra De Scure, ruled by Carzeth, today. Winston, the spy, heard them speak of carrying out their plan soon. He says a stocky Appaloosa mare was appointed their lead warrior today. The herd only has abour four members. I am telling you this to keep you on alert. Winston also discovered that Carzeth's two main enemies are Terra De Rocas and Terra Delle Liberta." With that Giltrent flew off, leaving Fiana and Torchwood to themselves.