The Shadow Falls

Chapter 8

Lady Astra stood on the balcony seeming to watch the dawn and the clouds. 'I think its time to summon the Watch Tower' she said finally to Raven who was standing a little behind her. Triny, standing by Astra's side looked confused 'Umm, I thought this was the Watch Tower?' she said puzzled.

'This is just a physical manifestation. The Watch Tower is a guardian and just so happens to be an Earth one' elaborated Astra. 'Knowing what Sir Kyran elemental powers are, it's the best defense. When someone's powers are in two elements, it makes them so much weaker to another, in this case Earth energies.'  

They stood looking out of the balcony watching the sun rise a bit longer as a gentle breeze ruffled their clothes. In the growing light they noticed a distant speck getting larger and coming towards them. As it approached they realized it was a hawk. Morgan recognizing it stepped forward and raised his arm for the bird to land on. 'It's my father, Hera Blade's hawk!' he said in surprise.

'And it has a message' said Lady Astra noticing the scroll on the bird's leg. Morgan covered the bird's wings with his hand to stop it flying off again. 'Quick lets get it inside' he said, hastening to the balcony's door.

Once back inside Morgan removed the scroll and read it. 'Its to the Ryche' he said aloud. 'That's the realm further north from us' he added to Triny. 'My father's spies have seen an army on the move, the Valharons and he's sending warning to the Ryche.' He looked up 'I'm not familiar with the Valharons' he said to the others.

'Neither am I' said Lady Astra. Raven frowned 'let's hope that we don't have to be.'

'I'd better send this message on, but with a different bird' said Morgan.

"Why a different bird?' asked Triny

  'This is my father's Familiar, it's more intelligent than a normal hawk and tell Hera of what its seen' explained Morgan stroking the bird's head feathers 'She probably spotted and recognized me as she was flying past and that's why she flew down. If I send her back off, she'll eventually reach my father and tell him where I am. If he knew, he'd probably come storming over here and drag me back to the homeland' He sighed and shook his head before heading down to the mews to hobble the hawk and find another ariel messenger.

Lady Astra turned to Raven. 'Now the summoning. We haven't got much time before Kyran returns...'

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