Gorath and Galain quickly dissapeared into the forest when Jesslyn's archers set out. They were still with her group, but preferred to be on the outside. The nite tide of darkness would soon be aproaching and all of the groups would have to be in place.
On spur of the moment Galain deftly swung up into one of the trees. After getting through the initial thick growth he was in the sparse middle to upper parts. He could see down at the rest of the archers making their way through the floor. Glancing up he could see some storm clouds in the distance.
"They won't come in till late, if even," Gorath said as he came up to his brothers level.
Galain nodded and then glanced back at the men below. Without a look to see if his brother would follow the dark Elf started moving to the next tree, his general goal being Jesslyn. The brothers were going to position themselves above and each to one side of the human. Laurel had come to them when she found out they were to travel in her group.
"Please, watch over her. She's a bit headstrong and doesn't yet know her limitations."
The brothers had agreed and so had a new mission to fulfil.
~*~
Annanoldowen rode next to Lanaey. They had left a little while ago to wind their way slowly around. They hadn't taken the direct route to avoid getting the horses and their noises too close to the wildmen's camp. The scholarly Elf seemed rather tense, and Lanaey understood perfectly well why she did. A battle field was cold and should only be viewed through stories and books to scholars. They weren't fighters. To Lanaey it was a necessary event that had to be molded by those who could make a difference. It was very much alive and shaped the world just as surely as farms and cities did.
"How can you take this life?" Annanoldowen spoke quietly from her side.
Lanaey pondered a moment and glanced back at all those following her lead. "I was taught how to fight and I must use my skills to help those can't fight these battles. Most of those I help can better fight the elements against their crops than soldiers. Same with you and the scholarly life. I wouldn't be able to live that kind of existance."
"No other life but this one for you?" the thought seemed to disturb Annanoldowen.
Lanaey softly chuckled. "No...I could lead other paths. I could settle in a small life perhaps."
They were silent for a small portion then, but curiosity got to the scholarly one again. "How did you come to such a life? It isn't common for our kind to crave battle."
"My father taught me how since I was a child. He thought it better I know how to fight than to be overwhelmed by an evil force. I'm am viewed as slightly less for it."
Annanoldowen nodded at that remark. She could see how a female Elf warrior would be looked down on for her chosen life. Women were not fighters, especially Elven women.
Lanaey broke her thoughts. "Why do you fight this time Annanoldowen?"
"I learned the art though never practiced. I came to the aide of Taralphiel. Friendship bonds should always be kept."
Lanaey glanced at the others profile. "Are you scared?"
She bit her lip the tiniest fraction before answering. "A bit."
"Stay with me."
They were almost to their assigned part.
~*~
Leena had left early in her anticipation of the battle and her men were already in place. She didn't think that this might have been the wisest course of action, for now instead of being antsy in town she was having to endure it in realtive silence. They couldn't give their positions away. She glanced over at her men and smiled fiercly. These wild men would remember tonight through their eternities. If only the flaming arrow would fly.
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