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« on: July 25, 2010, 07:25:47 AM »
One hundred soldiers. One hundred lives in danger.
Move now.
This army had no subtlety. Their thoughts screamed out, a hundred voices filled with worry. Anyone with the Gift could hear them from miles away- a Psy Knight had an even easier time.
Stay concealed.
The last column of soldiers, about twenty in number, were close enough for the Knight to see.
Use caution.
Behind the large gray rocks that littered the area around the Deeper Downs, the Psy Knight Sigrun hid. They had been following this army ever since they had picked up their whispers. The army's mission intrigued them. For a long time, the Psy Knights had wished to infiltrate the Deeper Downs. Now, Sigrun had the chance.
Time to come out.
Sigrun moved from behind her rock and cleared her throat. "I mean no harm!" she shouted. The twenty soldiers all turned around, their weapons drawn and ready. "I mean no harm!" Sigrun repeated. She raised her hands, showing that she herself was unarmed(not that it meant anything). "I am a member of the Psy Knights! I wish to join you in this attack!" Sigrun looked at the men, hoping they believed her. "How do you know about our assault?" one of them, a bowman, demanded. "I have the Sight." Sigrun replied. All of the men looked at each other, unsure. "An army like this has a purpose. Tell me what it is, I can help you." Sigrun said. "We're attacking the Night Brothers. Our army is going to enter the Downs and purge the organization for good." the bowman said.
One of the men seperated from the group and approached Sigrun. "I am Commander Kheil, leader of this platoon. Why are you following us?" he demanded. Sigrun cleared her throat again. "A few days ago, my team and I were ambushed by a group of Shadowlings while scouting this area. There were too many, so we fled. Fortunately, I Scanned one of the Shadowlings while I was fleeing. He was thinking about taking slaves, and he mentioned that a group of Spriggats from the Night Brothers were building an army in the Deeper Downs. If that's true, I have to stop them." she explained. "And how did this lead you to us?" Kheil asked, growing impatient. "One of my teammates, Katenka, picked up on a large concentration of minds, a lot more than are normal for the region. We were curious, so we followed the thoughts into this area." Sigrun said. "You mentioned your team. Where are they?" Kheil asked. Sigrun's face fell. "We got separated. I'm the only one left." she said. Kheil looked back at his soldiers, then at Sigrun. "This mission is extremely dangerous. We know almost nothing about the area, the number of battle-ready soldiers on the enemy side, or how prepared they are for us." he said. "I am ready." Sigrun replied. Kheil shook his head. "We intend to wipe the Night Brothers out. For good. Perhaps you should know that." Sigrun frowned. "I can't think of many organizations more deserving of a purge."
Revenge?
As Sigrun joined the formation, her mind drifted to the coming battle. Her odds of survival were, realistically, low. But she had to keep her head up straight. Sigrun took a piece of black cloth from her pocket and used it to tie her straw-colored hair back into a bun. The formation marched faster, trying to catch up with the other four. Sigrun felt somewhat embarrassed for slowing them down with her introduction, but that was necessary.