One of Those Days (open)

[Doronlas]

It wasn't difficult to escape the suffocation of Algar Arda's court when one was a hawk mistress, that was something Rowena had learned early on. Though her family, renowned for their communication abilities with hawks, were reveared as skillful scouts and powerful allies but only to those that needed their skill. Since Rowena lacked the busy social life of a higher ranking elven noble, her time was marginally free. That meant it was easy to gallop away from her father's estate, now her estate, astride her handsome white stallion with nine hawks swooping and screeching overhead in the winter sky. It was an amazing thing to see since Rowena's flock was very diverse.

Her personal messanger and "partner" was Morab, a male red-tailed hawk that led the flock when Rowena could not keep them all in line. He circled overhead with his albino mate, Snowfall and their battle-scarred albino daughter, Kipcha. In a barren oak, the hulking black form of Ithilian perched beside Brenwin's smaller golden form. Out in a field to the right of Rowena's riding path, Orinlas' brown-cream form swooped around with the grey and white form of Farawin. High above, Hindar seemed to be keeping an eye on everyone while Marik made a daring move, swooping closer to Kipcha. He was the youngest male and Kipcha was the youngest female, it was obvious he was hopeful to win her favor. Rowena shook her head, reining Caleb, her horse, to a stop as Morab sent a warning screech at Marik.

Really Rowena viewed her hawks as her children, all nine of them. Morab was the sensible and protective father of the hawks, Snowfall his faithful lady and voice of hawk reason. Kipcha and Marik chased each other while Ithilian and Hindar pretended not to know any of them. Farawin was the more aggressive of them all, often getting into scuffles with Orinlas while Brenwin often kept Morab's company or found himself a perch on Rowena's shoulder.

Wrapped in her fur-lined cloak, Rowena let Caleb rest as she watched her flock. They were several miles from Algar Arda so that no one would stare at the hawks and make them twitchy. It gave them a chance to hunt freely and in their own comfort zones. Some preferred open field hunting, others didn't particularly care as long as there was a mouse to be found. Smiling, Rowena whistled and recieved various chortles and cries in response.

Sliding from Caleb's saddle into the thin snow, Rowena watched the hawks all depart toward the woodland or out over the fields. All the hawks except Snowfall departed. The blue-eyed, white feathered albino red-tailed she-hawk circled above Rowena. Smiling to the she-hawk, Rowena raised her arm as Snowfall swooped down and perched. Strong talons closed around Rowena's arm, clutching the scarlet fabric her dress was made of. Snowfall regarded Rowena with a hawk's fierce scrutiny, taking in the elleth's brown hair which was woven with half in braids and half loose, clothed in a simple red gown and matching cloak with her symbol on it-- a golden hawk-- just at the shoulder.

"Is there something you don't approve of?" Rowena asked Snowfall, walking with the albino on her arm and Caleb digging through the snow with a hoof to find some grass.

Snowfall let out a soft cry before swiveling her head toward the road, making Rowena stop her slow walk. Turning to look the same direction as the albino she-hawk, Rowena wondered what had captured Snowfall's attention.

[D.REAM]

BLISS HANOV

you gotta know what's coming for you before it's too late to do anything about it.
before, oh before it's too late to do anything. time's creeping up on us, a creature
in the night. we can't let it know that we are scared because if we do, then it will
surely be the end of us. let's not give in, and show it what we got in all of us. the
thing we all know we have within each and every one of our souls.

Many things were hard to come by these days. Peace and quiet tended to be one of them for some strange reason. Though, out away from Adlar Arda, it was much easier to attain these. One major thing was the peace, and then the quiet. The quietness of the forest and trees, paths and clearings all tied as one being it appeared to be sometimes. The promise that life would soon return to the world, once the layer of snow melted from the world, revealing green grass, and blossoming flowers sprouting from the earth once more. Then came the leaves once more on the trees, a ripe green, soon to turn auburn, gold and brown as the next season came into procession behind spring and summertime. Life dulled in the world once more, before being reawakened once more when springtime reared its head once more, shaking away the cold snow on the ground, and producing love, life and new promises once more to the world that accepted the warmer weather. One such example where land really didn't, were the high mountains, because of altitude, spring could hardly reach its long fingers up on them completely, therefore leaving snow on their peaks for decades, centuries even.

As snow crunched silently beneath the horse's hooves, the beast paused as his nares flared anxiously. Suddenly, a light greeting growl emitted from a maw not too far from where the horse had paused, eyes rolling in his sockets wildly. He reared, the large Cleveland-Bay like stallion, easily over 16hh snorted heavily, as the large wolf approached him, before the wolf licked its lips and barked once. The horse nickered, as the wolf pawed the ground, asking the horse without a rider to play. The two animals darted alongside the road, before a shrill whistle startled them. The stallion whinnied, and the wolf bared its teeth, just as they then caught the scent of their friend, they and she alike didn't think of them as pets, more as friends. Reaching out, she heard the wolf speak silently to her, eyes looking up to the sky, "Young one, birds." spoke the wolf, as the horse snorted heavily, while the young woman reached out with her mind, the birds' thoughts running softly, though she could hardly hear them, since they were far up in the sky.

Shifting gently, she reached out, as the stallion approached her, and mused softly in her mind, his masculine voice soothing to her, "There's someone else out there as well...look."

[/color] Elven eyes shifted to where the horse gestured as she hopped up onto his back, the saddle allowing the ride to be better on both beast and handler. Narrowing her eyes, her feline vision narrowed in, before she lost her path in the trees. Suddenly, a female voice interrupted her ponderings, "It's another woman, with nine hawks and a horse."[/color] Telling the leopard thanks, the elf urged her horse onwards along the road, hooves hardly making any noise on the snow that covered the world.

Shifting her fur-lined coat, she snuggled more into her, frame shivering slightly for a moment, before the wolf mused, as he padded alongside the stallion, while the leopard stayed off to the side, "You know, young one, with this war and your powers, maybe we should pick a side." Looking to him silently, seeing his powerful muscles work under his black and dark brown pelt, she responded in thought, "Aye, you may be right, but I do not wish to be involved if I can help it."

Getting a sense of curiosity from something, felt like a bird, the brunette shifted her attention, before looking to the wolf, "Go off to the side, get off the road and out of the open." Silently obeying, the wolf did so, dark pelt blending into the background of the trees as she lead the horse into the trees softly, branches giving way as they moved. Hvitr, appropriately named, the stallion snorted then glanced back to his rider, as her eyes relaxed, her mind eased as the empathy she received was so - peaceful, thoughtful. Grinning softly, she suddenly yanked on the reins when she sensed they were getting closer. Pausing, hidden in the branches, she spoke to Crimson Moon, the black wolf, "Check it out." The world obliged, and lifted his maw, which parted and a loud, shrill howl escaped his lips. It was more of a calling than a shrill howl. Smirking, the elf nodded and thanked him.

Feeling slight distress from something, she glanced towards where she guessed the birds were. Oh yes, she could sense where things were based on where she received their emotions from. Pursing her lips slightly, she then urged Hvitr forwards, before they paused, as two pairs of eyes rested on them, a white hawk's, as well as another person. Hvitr's rider tensed, and he too tensed, though when both the leopard, Zodiac, bathed in her white coat with spots and Crimson Moon, short, Crim neared, she felt reassured. Lips opened as she was tempted to speak, though she remained still, eyes locked onto the hawk as well as the other woman.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

THIS GORG TEMPLATE IS © to D.REAM, WHO IS ACTUALLY MEH. BUT YEAH,
DON'T MESS WITH THE CREDIT AND THE LOVELY COLOR BLENDER OR I'LL
PUT YOU INTO A BLENDER, MKAY? THIS BBY HUR HAS ABOUT A WORD COUNT OF
858 AND NICKELBACK - ANIMALS IN THE BACKGROUND, IT'S
ALL GOING GOOD HUR. THE THREAD'S OPEN WITH ROWENA AND HER
DARLING HAWKS. OTHERWISE, PASSING NOTES, JUST ENJOY MEH POST
AND HAVE FUN REPLYING. BUT IF YOU WANT ME TO EDIT, ETC. PLEASE FEEL FREE
TO LET ME KNOW. I DON'T BITE, THAT MUCH ANYWAY, OR UNLESS PROVOKED.
KTHNXBAI. <33

[/color][/center]

[Doronlas]

Rowena turned as a wolf howled, the cry not meant to fright but more like a question in Rowena's mind though her communication was limited to her hawks. Still, she could see Morab and the flock swooping about together high above, all the protection she needed though she felt their thoughts were troubled. Opening her mind farther to them, Rowena cycled their thoughts. Orinlas and Kipcha wheeled together around Morab, shrieking their confusion. Something was wrong. The wolf was to be expected in a woodland but through their eyes, Rowena could see a rider and...a leopard. Raising a brow, Rowena stroked Snowfall's ivory head, Caleb shifting a bit nervously behind her. The stallion remained still though, nostrils flared and ears twitching but otherwise seemingly alright.

Snowfall let out a call to Morab, the handsome red-tailed hawk swooping away, leaving the seven others to themselves. With Snowfall already on her arm, Rowena could offer no perch to her chosen lead hawk but Morab made himself comfortable perching on the saddle that Rowena had left, making Caleb snort. Orinlas, Kipcha and Hindar swooped down to perch in a hibernating tree while Ithilian, Brenwin and Marik continued to swoop and circle, keeping an eye on the approaching creatures. Farawin circled low, choosing a perch lower than the others, ruffling his feathers against the wind.

The hawks were in defense, alert and unnerved by the odd assortment of animals that Rowena, now with her elven vision could see. Still stroking Snowfall's albino head, Rowena watched as a female elf approached astride a tall and handsome bay stallion. That explained Caleb's slight twitchiness. Though trained for battle, that didn't keep Caleb from occasionally acting like a male around other males. The elleth astride the stallion was fair enough with brown hair lighter than Rowena's and clear blue eyes as opposed to Rowena's dark brown. She was slightly taller than Rowena but it was a running joke that, like her hawks, Rowena was compact but powerful with all the pride and dignity of a she-hawk guarding her nest.

With the winter wind tugging at the hem of her cloak, Rowena regarded the handsome snow leopard and formidable black wolf that approached the elleth. Interesting company indeed but unless she was under the word of the elven monarchy, Rowena didn't interrogate those she met. That was simply rude. Instead she chose to appease her hawks, sending them soothing thoughts and murmuring in hawk-speak.

Though the males remained tense and alert, both Snowfall and Kipcha seemed to relax more to Rowena's words. Kipcha, young and content, began preening the albino feathers she had inherited from her mother. Snowfall, alert still but not likely to attack, released her perch on Rowena's arm. The albino lead she-hawk took flight in a whir of soft white feathers and circled horse, rider, wolf and leopard. She cast out a questioning call before wheeling back toward Rowena and Caleb, taking a perch on Caleb's saddle beside Morab.

"I advise caution in Algar Arda, traveler, some may oppose your choices of company for the simple reason it is unusual" Rowena said at last, her hand absentmindedly stroking Morab's handsome head. "They think strangely enough of me with only one species that is not my own." Her words weren't mean, simply helpful with a slight hint of amusement. She radiated cool composure and yet the fierce intelligence of a she-hawk, so much like the birds she raised and partnered.

[D.REAM]

BLISS HANOV

you gotta know what's coming for you before it's too late to do anything about it.
before, oh before it's too late to do anything. time's creeping up on us, a creature
in the night. we can't let it know that we are scared because if we do, then it will
surely be the end of us. let's not give in, and show it what we got in all of us. the
thing we all know we have within each and every one of our souls.

The howl erupted the stillness of the forest, and immediately after the black wolf reappeared in the shadows by the horse, she mused to him, "Next time, maybe just follow Zodiac, and be quiet." Crim looked to her with confusion, though she grinned innocently, "Thank you, again." Crim nodded and at her silent gesture, both he and Zodiac sauntered off away from the elf and the horse into the trees, though they remained nearby. Sensing Zodiac's confusion, she inquired thoughtfully, "What troubles you, Zod?" The leopard's real name she'd given herself had been Zoldara, though Zodiac was her nickname, some said. The feline replied softly, "It is nothing, my friend. Only usual worries."

[/color] Giving the white leopard another look, she grasped the reins when Hvitr inched forwards, eyes locked onto the other male horse. Of course, he was usually quiet and obedient around geldings and mares, though other males, especially stallions like himself, his testosterone pumped eagerly through his veins, clouding his judgement half the time. Yanking on them, she hushed, aloud, "Easy, boy."

As they approached, cautiously, eyes followed the hawks' movements. Hvitr snorted heavily, causing his warm breath to appear into the cooler air for a moment, before vanishing. Adjusting her red cloak lined with fur, it revealed a lovely light blue dress beneath it, with gold linings on the long-sleeved arms. Along with that, her custom-made bow she'd helped someone make for her just a few months ago. Letting the other see her arrows and quiver, eyes narrowing towards the hawks. It wouldn't be too hard to hit them with either a pain from her empathy, or with her speed in drawing an arrow, latching it up and letting it fly. Turning her attention away from the crowd of hawks back to the other woman, she scanned over her quietly. She was shorter than she was most likely, though there was something about her that told her the girl would fight to the death. She had darker hair than her, and deep brown eyes, while to contrast, her's were a blue.

Lips parted softly in a weak smile in greeting as they neared, and she tugged on Hvitr's reins to keep him in line, before ears perked from both the horse and rider when the other one spoke. Crim near by, growled from the trees, letting it echo throughout the area they were in. Like the animals she could mimic, the elf's muscles tensed, ready for flight-or-fight. But, pure curiosity shouldn't harm anyone really. Granted, in the wrong area something could happen, but it all depended on how thick the ice was beneath where they stood. Tilting her head, she allowed an amused grin to fall across her features, oh, she knew that, "Thank you for the advice, but I do keep them out of sight and out of mind." she nodded her head gently, "And I'm merely returning to see some of my family." she murmured, lacing the truth in there with it.

As she felt the hawks' emotions calm, she was surprised for a moment. This woman was calming them down. Casting a glance towards some of the other hawks while keeping a "third eye" on the girl, she allowed herself to become immersed into their emotions, thoughts, it was - soothing to say the least. Turning her full attention back to the other, she hesitated in speaking her mind. Speaking one's mind could lead to trouble. And trouble would lead to powerful people. Powerful people with her would most likely lead to either her having to join their cause, or the worse one, be imprisoned and/or killed. Just the mere thought of leaving Hvitr, Zodiac and Crim behind without her guidance and aid made her heart clench, her stomach soon following. They'd give their lives for each other, Crim and Zodiac had promised her guidance, aid and protection, and she offered them a friend, and protection from others who may wish to cause them harm.

Shifting up on the large stallion as he snorted towards the other one, he spoke as her grip on the reins tightened, "It's interesting, young one..."[/color] the young woman in appearance paused to listen to what he had to say, "She has nine hawks, all of whom she seems to have a connection with. Much like your own connection with the three of us." She knew he was pointing out something obvious, but that meant he was calculating her. Hvitr had always been wary when first meeting people. Like when he'd been a colt and had met her for the very first time, he wouldn't get anywhere near her for the first few days she came to see him. Eventually, after he knew she wouldn't harm him, he approached her, and since that, they'd been inseparable since. Looking towards this newcomer once more, the elf smiled politely, since they were in elven grounds and mentioned, "Where are my manners, I, m'Lady am blessed Bliss Jocelyn." she bowed her head lightly, and patted Hvitr, "This here is Hvitr, Zoldara and Crimson Moon are about."

After giving the other woman her first and middle name, she didn't give her her last, due to her lack of trust, but also her wariness she shared with Hvitr as well. Sensing Zodiac's worries, Bliss glanced towards her, and the leopard's emotions soon calmed themselves. Getting a sense of this girl's amusement, she nodded solemnly, and mused, "They are so wary, even against their own kind if something could be amiss, when there is nothing." she arched an eyebrow her way, hoping for a name in turn, and maybe all these hawks' names as well. Hoping to get into her good graces, Bliss added, "Your hawks have calmed down a bit, though a few are still on edge." she gestured to them, innocently, "But they are majestic and beautiful creatures."[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

THIS GORG TEMPLATE IS © to D.REAM, WHO IS ACTUALLY MEH. BUT YEAH,
DON'T MESS WITH THE CREDIT AND THE LOVELY COLOR BLENDER OR I'LL
PUT YOU INTO A BLENDER, MKAY? THIS BBY HUR HAS ABOUT A WORD COUNT OF
975 AND SILENCE RINGING IN THE BACKGROUND, IT'S ALL GOING GO
OD HUR. THE THREAD'S OPEN WITH ROWENA AND HER DARLING HAWKS.
OTHERWISE, PASSING NOTES, THERE IS A BIT OF A FEW RANTS IN THERE ON
CERTAIN THINGS, AND I APOLOGIZE. BUT SHE'S SINCERE WITH THE HAWK COMPLIMENT
TOO. XD DON'T KILL THEM! <33

[/color][/center]

[Doronlas]

Regarding the woman calmly, Rowena felt Morab reach toward her, his hooked beak brushing her cheek as the red-tailed hawk chortled softly in her ear. Stepping from Caleb's saddle, the handsome hawk settled himself on Rowena's shoulder, his sharp talons curling into the fabric of her cloak so he wouldn't topple. Rowena, long since used to being a hawk perch, was still and steady for him, feeling the eyes of all her hawks upon her. They were curious, their thoughts all coming to Rowena and bringing her one universal conclusion. The woman facing Rowena was trying to feel their thoughts and they did not like it.

From his perch, Farawin ruffled his feathers in a sign of indignance, Hindar shrieking what sounded like a rebuke toward the elleth. Morab was stiff on Rowena's shoulder, a sign of his dislike. Despite being mentally connected to Rowena, they did not like others probing their minds. They were creatures of great pride and power that liked their privacy unless they chose to share.

Inclining her head at the woman's introduction, Rowena didn't bow since Morab was on her shoulder. "I am Lady Rowena Brithiled also known as the Scarlet Hawk by some. Be warned m'lady, my hawks do enjoy their privacy." Behind her, Ithilion let out a cry, flapping his wings but not taking off. "Forgive their manners, my boys do feel a bit intimidated." Snowfall and Kipcha together let out softer female cries, almost indignant, drawing a smile from Rowena. "My ladies find you interesting though" she added with a soft but intelligent sly smile.

Snowfall, still perched on Caleb's back ruffled her white feathers and took flight. Swooping like a ghost over Rowena and Morab, the albino settled herself on a branch beside her daughter. They looked nearly identical except for the fact that Kipcha was smaller than Snowfall and bore a rather nasty scar on her belly. A battle some years ago had brought both Kipcha and Brenwin from the skies suffering arrow wounds. In the same battle Rowena's own brother had nearly died from several arrow wounds, one he had gotten while going to fetch Brenwin. Kipcha's white feathers didn't hide the scar as well as Brenwin's golden feathers did. Still, the youngest she-hawk seemed genuinely interested in Bliss like her mother was.

"Do not let us slow your progress toward kin, come Caleb, off the road" Rowena said, patting Caleb's ivory neck.

The stallion snorted, mist rising from his nostrils as he stepped off the road into deeper snow along the sides. Rowena moved after him, Morab's head swiveling to still regard Bliss with a challenging look.

[D.REAM]

BLISS HANOV

you gotta know what's coming for you before it's too late to do anything about it.
before, oh before it's too late to do anything. time's creeping up on us, a creature
in the night. we can't let it know that we are scared because if we do, then it will
surely be the end of us. let's not give in, and show it what we got in all of us. the
thing we all know we have within each and every one of our souls.

A soft muse from Zodiac came through her troubled thoughts, "Bliss, try not to search for their emotions."

[/color] The elf growled shortly, as she replied, looking towards where Zodiac was currently pacing back and forth in the deep snow she had been built to live in, "I'm trying not to, Zoldara, but it's so difficult." The snow leopard nodded softly as the elven woman's attention snapped up to the woman as she spoke once more, giving her her name. Rowena Brithiled. Making a mental note of that at "Scarlet Hawk," as she mentioned her boys feeling intimidated. By what? They had nothing to be intimidated by. She glanced around, unless there was some unknown creature out there she was completely missing. Though she only felt Crim's emotions, Zodiac's, Hvitr's, her own, the hawks and Rowena's and her horse's. Keeping this to herself, she eyed the hawk behind her flapping his wings, but still ground-bound, before she replied, brushing back some of her wavy hair, "Forgive me...I try not to, but I apologize." she smiled weakly, she really didn't try, it just came extremely easy.

At the comment of "her ladies" Bliss looked between the various hawks, as if trying to decide which was which. She could tell the two white ones were female since they were slightly larger, unless that wasn't the case, but it usually was for hawks. Pursing her lips slightly, she remained silent as Hvitr's eyes rolled anxiously in his sockets, before he asked if they could go. Pausing, the elf tucked hair behind her ears, revealing her full-blooded heritage of her elven line. Her ears were actually slightly longer and still pointed, but not redicuously long or anything on the top. Murmuring something along the lines of, "Easy now, Hvitr." She looked to Crim and Zodiac, "Head due east, where we're heading to my cottage, Crim can smell it out." The wolf nodded as his eagerness to get away from it overwhelmed her for a moment. Shaking that off as Zodiac and Crimson Moon soon began to vanish, her nerves began to mount with every step and bound they took away from her.

Every step away meant less time they could reach her if something should happen. Something as, if these blasted birds came after her. Granted, the tension was tight, but she doubted they'd attack her unless say - she went after their chicks, which she wouldn't do in a thousand years. Lips parted to reveal a coy, innocent smile towards Rowena. When she spoke about not letting them slow her towards kin, she shook her head softly, letting her hair fall over the collar on her cloak to help keep the snow from reaching its chilled fingers around her neck, "Do not fret, I am not expected there till later." She mentioned, which was half-true. She was expected, but not until tomorrow, she got here a day earlier than she had planned, but she didn't want Rowena to know that - at least not yet, especially with all these birds around. As Caleb, the horse was named, inched off the road, Hvitr snorted heavily towards the other stallion.

As she urged him on, Bliss cast a glance to the hawk giving her a challenging stare, then looked to Rowena, "Sorry to have caused you trouble, Lady Rowena." she grinned sheepishly, as if she had gotten caught doing something by someone who wouldn't get her in trouble. A hand reached back to her quiver as she spotted obviously the lead hawk's look. Returning it, as if she dared it to try and do something, just to see if she couldn't hit him with an arrow in her self-defense. Though, she urged Hvitr on, and turned back, offering, "If you need anything, come to my cottage, I can give you a warm drink if you desire." she gave her a soft, innocent smile, before kicking Hvitr into a light gallop, slow enough so if Rowena wanted to catch up, she could.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

THIS GORG TEMPLATE IS © to D.REAM, WHO IS ACTUALLY MEH. BUT YEAH,
DON'T MESS WITH THE CREDIT AND THE LOVELY COLOR BLENDER OR I'LL
PUT YOU INTO A BLENDER, MKAY? THIS BBY HUR HAS ABOUT A WORD COUNT OF
665 AND FLYLEAF - FULLY ALIVE IN THE BACKGROUND, IT'S
ALL GOING GOOD HUR. THE THREAD'S OPEN WITH ROWENA AND
HER DARLING HAWKS. OTHERWISE, PASSING NOTES, WITH ALL THAT GOING ON
JUST TAKE YOUR TIME AND DO WITH IT WHAT YOU WANT. YOU CAN CONTINUE TOO.

[/color][/center]

[Doronlas]

Rowena regarded Bliss easily, noting how even her hawks could tell the elleth was having trouble keeping from their thoughts. Morab shuffled his wings, opposed to the idea of simply letting an animal-speaker leave but Rowena wasn't one for politics. The last thing she needed was getting hassled about speaking to a higher up lord's niece or daughter. Though the war was mainly between men and elves, of late Rowena had become of the war within Algar Arda. Elves were taking sides, some opposed to war with the humans and others more open to it as a chance to put humans in their place. Rowena viewed it as a pointless power struggle that wasn't just against humans but also among rival elven families. Due to her skills, Rowena was valued for intelligence and insight. Her hawks made magnificent spies and often caught on to things far quicker than even an elf. Despite her value, Rowena knew she had to tread carefully.

"Go with her Brenwin, guard her path" Rowena murmured, too quietly to be heard as Bliss let her mount move past.

Brenwin, displeased at the idea nonetheless took wing from his perch. The battle-ready male had seen the woman try to pull an arrow on Morab and pulling an arrow on Morab was pulling an arrow on Rowena. That was not something one was to do to get in Brenwin's good will. Still, it was his lady's wish that he follow the elleth so, he would. Gaining altitude, Brenwin circled over the elleth and her mount, his wingbeats easy and almost lazy. He didn't know what Rowena wanted from the elleth but, he was interested anyway. He would watch for anything and everything if it was what Rowena wanted.

Over the woodland nearing a cottage, Brenwin broke off his flight and made a broad arc. Rouges were known to roam around Algar Arda, common annoyances toward travelers and threats to nobility. Brenwin shrieked as his keen hawk vision zoomed in on a human from the south like one of the ones that had attacked months ago. Shrieking again, Brenwin flared his wing and dropped toward the ground. The man pulled a bow and fired an arrow. The arrow tore Brenwin's wing sending the handsome golden hawk spiraling down to land with a heavy thump in the snow, thrashing in pain and shrieking. Crying out for his flock, Brenwin tried to move away from the southern soldier as it loomed toward him, bow traded in for a knife to kill the bird. Apparently the man had suspected elven spies in the form of birds.

[D.REAM]

BLISS HANOV

you gotta know what's coming for you before it's too late to do anything about it.
before, oh before it's too late to do anything. time's creeping up on us, a creature
in the night. we can't let it know that we are scared because if we do, then it will
surely be the end of us. let's not give in, and show it what we got in all of us. the
thing we all know we have within each and every one of our souls.

Softly, the elf's gentle hand rubbed her temple as she remained quiet, attempting to disregard the uneasy emotions the hawks and Rowena herself had towards them. Hvitr glanced back her way calmly, before he mused to her rambling thoughts, "Do not worry, Bliss. Some are misunderstood, others take them for granted."

[/color] Inwardly groaning, the elf replied, "You are no help with your riddles, sometimes, Hvitr." The stallion chuckled as he trotted down the road faster now towards her cottage. As they neared, she could sense Zodiac's and Crimson Moon's relief when they spotted her safe and sound on Hivtr's saddle. But, as she neared her safe-house, she called it, the snow crunching softly under Hvitr's hooves, she frowned as Crim growled, while Zodiac looked up with her amber-colored orbs, "She sent a bird with us."[/color] Crim growled angerily, his hackles bristling. Frowning, Bliss looked up, but Zodiac suddenly snarled angerily, as well as Crim. Huffing, Bliss turned just to see a hawk, the hawk, spiraling towards the ground.

What? Surprised, she hopped off Hvitr, who reared and whinnied in fright, while she whistled for Crim and Zodiac to come with her into the trees. Whipping out her quiver, she latched a bow onto it, before she then released it. Her bow whistled through the air, slapping into the man. He grunted as it hit his shoulder, causing him to drop his bow and arrows. Immediately, as Crim and Zodiac neared him, he scurried off. She looked to Crim, "Don't let him get far." The large black wolf nodded before growling and bounding off. Zodiac remained, muscles tense as she hovered in the snow, while the elf searched for the wounded bird she knew would have hit the ground. "Here, Bliss."[/color] Muttered Zodiac's feminine voice. Turning as she slung her bow back on, Bliss's attention locked onto the bird, while Zodiac remained away from it, her white pelt glistening as she bared her teeth towards it. "Zoldara..." she warned, before approaching the bird quietly, "It's all right....I can help you..." she dropped her bow and arrows, she was unarmed besides her daggers now, but she wasn't going to harm one of the girl's birds.

Quickly, she moved with speed and clutched him so his wounded wing was gently against his side, and he could hardly reach to bite her. Gently, Bliss tensed, before soon, her arm began to throb, meaning she was absorbing the hawk's pain. Zodiac, in stunned silence stood as Bliss activated another part of her empathy, and took the hawk's pain from the wound. She spoke to Hvitr, "Go warn Rowena somehow." The stallion nodded, not knowing if the bird was dead or not, but he took off back down the road, following his own hoof prints. Once he spotted the bird lady, he whinnied and slammed the ground with his hooves, attempting to help her understand. Tossing his dial, he jerked his head towards the sky, then slammed the ground with his fore hooves again. Her bird had fallen. Trotting away, he turned to make sure she was following. Going back to her, he was urgent. He didn't mind if the bird was dead or not, but if it harmed Bliss, then he'd harm it.

"I caught the man, Bliss....what do you want me to do with him?"[/color] The elf paused as Crim's mind reached out to her's, before she replied, craddling the bird softly, herself whimpering from the pain she'd taken from him, "Try and bring him here. If not, just hold him there, bite if you must." Crim nodded, as Hvitr reappeared, while Bliss opened the door to her cottage, Zodiac slinking calmly inside. Standing out in the cold, she looked to Rowena, "The cold will not help his wound....I can help him." she spoke softly, offering the hawk to Scarlet Hawk, Miss Rowena, before she stepped inside, letting Rowena enter if she wished. Glancing to Hvitr, she thanked him, though told him to behave with Caleb. Turning and grabbing a few of her elven potions, Bliss looked to him, "I...helped him. He shouldn't be feeling much pain." she rubbed her own arm as if she'd been hit instead, hoping Rowena would let her help.[/size][/blockquote][/blockquote]

THIS GORG TEMPLATE IS © to D.REAM, WHO IS ACTUALLY MEH. BUT YEAH,
DON'T MESS WITH THE CREDIT AND THE LOVELY COLOR BLENDER OR I'LL
PUT YOU INTO A BLENDER, MKAY? THIS BBY HUR HAS ABOUT A WORD COUNT OF
700 AND PARAMORE - MIRACLE IN THE BACKGROUND, IT'S
ALL GOING GOOD HUR. THE THREAD'S OPEN WITH ROWENA AND HER
DARLING HAWKS. OTHERWISE, PASSING NOTES, YEAH, IF YOU DON'T LIKE
THE SLIGHT POWER-PLAYING, PLEASE LET ME KNOW. BUT I HAD TO TO MAKE SURE
THAT THE POST DIDN'T DIE ON MEH. LAWL. I CAN EDIT IF YOU WANT ME TO.
KTHNXBAI. <33

[/color][/center]

[Doronlas]

Rowena reined Caleb to a halt making the white stallion snort as the horse they had seen earlier came toward them looking aggitated and in a hurry. Raising a brow, Rowena glanced skyward and sent out a question to Morab and Orinlas. The pair shrieked back in reply. They were worried for Brenwin. The woman had said her cabin was near. Brenwin should have returned. Frowning, Rowena looked back to the bay, hesitating a moment before following the handsome equine. She had sent most of the others out to hunt or to go back to her estate but Snowfall, Morab and Orinlas had lingered to wait for Brenwin and act as a guard for Rowena. Now however, Rowena was very worried, following the bay through the snow toward a cottage off the path where she caught sight of Bliss, an unconcious golden hawk in her arms. Instantly, Rowena had the urge to hurl a knife at the woman and demand what had happened to her hawk. Luckily, Bliss beat her to speaking.

Swinging gracefully out of Caleb's saddle, Rowena went to Bliss and eased Brenwin from the woman's arms. Snapping the arrow, the arrowhead already protructing, Rowena pulled the arrow free from Brenwin's wing. The golden Cooper's Hawk cried out in pain but did not resist Rowena's touch as she murmured to him in hawk-speak.

"Shh my little warrior, soothe your heart, who hurt you?" Rowena murmured, sweeping into the cottage and focusing entierly on Brenwin's mind.

The hawk's memory was hazy but she saw the coat of arms on the man's armor. A man from the south. Withdrawing from the hawk's memory, Rowena's dark eyes flared with rage and suddenly she seemed six feet tall and twice as powerful as she turned toward Bliss. "Where is the man that hurt him?" Rowena demanded.

The man had been alone, or so she hoped. Another attack was not something Algar Arda could survive right now but if he was just a spy, Rowena could slit his throat and take any information he had gathered as well as any information he had on the southern troops. She, like her brother, believed the human kingdoms needed to find stability, whether that meant war or not. Still, she was an intelligence broker of sorts before anything else.

With Brenwin cradled in her arms, Rowena moved out of the cottage again to find Morab and Orinlas circling nervously, crying out in anger when they saw Brenwin cradled in their mistress's arms. The rage of a hawk was not something to be reckoned with, as the soldier would learn.