Rain was falling in never-ending curtains turning the earth into rivers of mud. There was shouting in the distance among the trees, smoke rising from the sheltered fires. The horses were unsettled , neighing, and they could smell the wet leather of their attire with every cautious step.
Sparrow flinched as she moved to peek around the crumbled wall and had to dive down immediately as to not be seen by the scouting troups crossing the courtyard. Her breathing was uneven, the wounds had never really been treated and kept reopening acting up at the worst possible moments. She cursed under her breath, signalling to the men hidden around their improvised camp. They would have to use the advantage of the hour and sneak in while the enemy was busy packing their camp. If only Arthasdir was among the captured... it had been months since they got separated when it all seemed to quiet down at least back in the Northern parts of her native lands. Sparrow remembered the eve they stood atop the hills bathing in warm sunlight and anger rose like a many headed beast inside her breast.
The traitor had found her that night, like a shadow slithering through the black dark he told her amused how Arth had hidden that message he left for her at Stoneheight; he offered her the choice to follow and face him one on one or let her new family die for nothing. And yes, it was what had to happen. She always knew that. So it was he took her across the wilderness to the shores of the lake, weeks of agonizing mental and physical pain, he enjoyed thoroughly until he was called away and left her broken once more with some under his command. Pitiful Brigands, they had died by her hand, the cruel beak of a bird of prey with all morals laid aside. Fury was all that cursed through her. Why do bad things return in circles? She barely survived the coming weeks if it wasn't for her determination to survive long enough to encounter him again , to murder him until she was found by her distant Kin of Rangers clearing their home lands of grave robbers. They set up camp at her hiding place, taking charge of the area around, nursed her back to half decent condition, let her join in their clean ups. There was no arguing with someone deeply pained like that, so they agreed.
So it was that one grey morning they found themselves among the ruins ready to strike.
"Where are you my family?"
A silent thought floats up into the heavy clouds intent on travelling to far and distant places.
