Winged Sword Arrival

[Sakura]

Exhausted the young Sakura pulled himself over a large hill on a mountain. He had lost count of how many days it had been since he left the Balrogs of Morgoth. He had just joined and was ready to head out when the old coot Priam showed up. His arrival forced the young Sakura to leave his new found companions.

"Dang, I am still wearing the disguise" spoke Sakura out loud to himself." It was a bad habit he wanted to get rid of, but fate saw fit to deny him the luxury.

Sakura hair was now in a bigger mess than before. Normally Sakura would take the time to straighten his hair, but fear of Priam made him haste. Speed was of the essence and his hair style was not at the top of his worries. None the less it was time to mend the wrong.

"OK" spoke Sakura as he took off the head band and unfolded back to it's original square form. Looking at the square Sakura mind began to wonder back to his journey to Bern. All the running and long twisted roads. All the stares that came from other travelers and guards as he made his way toward the boarder.

"If I think about it spoke Sakura. It makes perfect since why the guards keep pestering me. I look like a bandit." The young sakura folded the square again and tied it over his hair. The cloth now served as a bandanna in which Sakura use to conceal his sloopy hair style.

"Curse that old man" shouted Sakura. "That crazy coot probably would have followed me all across Lycia. Thanks to him I had to cross the mountains into Bern." As Sakura began to sulk over his situation a great howl rang through the mountain.

"What was that" spoke Sakura as he looked around for the creature.

[Sakura]

"Wait a minute" spoke Sakura to himself. "I know this sound." As the young novice meditated on the sound another whail rang throught the moutain.

"There is no dought" spoke Sakura. "That is the sound of a Wyvern." As soon as the words left Sakura mouth a Wyvern bolted through the sky on a direct corse with the ground. The Wyvern ripped through a small tree sticking out of the rocks and landed only a foot away from Sakura.

"What in the world" shouted Sakura as he steeped back from the now bloody Wyvern. As Sakura took a step back he began to realize that this was not a wild Wyvern. There was a rider on the back of the beast, but she was unconscious.

"Are you alright" spoke Sakura as he attempted to help the woman break free from her Wyvern. As soon as Sakura moved forward the Wyvern began to show it's fangs. It thought it's master was in danger, and chomped at Sakura as he attempted to move closer.

[Sakura]

"Wow" shouted Sakura as he moved backwards from the Wyvern. The beast still had some fight in him. However that fight would not last long. The Wyvern was covered in arrows and it's front legs were damaged from the fall. The best was litteraly on it's last legs.

This is bad tought Sakura as he observed the situation of the rider. She was bleeding. It looked like an arrow had pirced her armor and penetrated her shoulder. The force from the crash seemed to have knocked her unconsious.

"This does not bold well" spoke Sakura as he attempted to take in all the information. The Wyvern was the main obsticle blocking his path. He would have to remove it if he wanted to save the rider. The beast had no attention of letting him touch the lady.

"I might have to put it down" spoke Sakura to himself. "However I do not wish to get on the bad side of the rider. I hear they are very protective of their Wyverns."

Sakura meditated on the problem for a moment. He place the pros agains the cons and came up with a answer. "Look like I have to put her down" spoke Sakura as he drew his slim sword.

It is not the best of blades thought Sakura as he held his sword in his hands. At the very least it gets the job done.

Sakura decided that attacking the Wyvern head on would be a fools mistake. Despite it's injuries a Wyvern was still not a beast to take lightly.

"Looks like I am going to have to flank it" spoke Sakura a he bulted to the right of the Wyvern. The beast attempted to follow, but the injuries it had sustained from it's fall hampured it's movements.
"Got you" spoke Sakura as he rushed around the left side of the Wyvern.

The beast attempted to turn, but Sakura was to fast. Sakura was able to move in behind the Wyvern, but victory was not that easy to accomplish. Sakura still had to slay the Wyvern and rescue the rider.

[Sakura]

As Sakura got behind the Wyvern he moved close to it's saddle. He jumped on the back of the Wyvern and used his sword to cut the thick leather strap on the saddle freeing the rider from the beast.

Speed was of the essence as the Wyvern began to struggle. It did not take to kindly to the young novice jumping on it's back, nor did it like the idea of him coming so close to the rider. The Wyvern began to shake and struggle. Eventually it began to flap it's wings in an attempt to fly. This however proved to be fatal flaw as the wounds from the arrows sapped the Wyvern of all it's power.

"Looks like it calmed down" spoke Sakura as the Wyvern tired out. It was only a matter of time before the beast died. If he wanted to save the rider Sakura had to act quickly. Sakura took notice to an obscure cave in the side of the mountain as he climbed. In truth it was more like a dent in the face of the mountain than a cave. It was only ten feet deep in. However it served as a perfect place to house the rider as she recovered.

"OK here we go" spoke Sakura as he dragged the rider toward the cave. As sakura dragged the Wyvern rider toward the cave her helmet fell off revealing a young redheaded girl.

"So she is a girl" spoke Sakura as he placed her down in the cave. He had no idea the rider was female. The Wyvern had grabbed most of his attention as it struggled and howled from arrow wounds.

"Man this makes it a lot harder" spoke Sakura as he looked at the young woman. As Sakura meditated on the problem ahead of him he heard a familiar sound outside. It was the neigh of a Pegasus.

"Pegasus" spoke Sakura as he moved to leave the cave. Sakura always loved the sight of Pegasus. For him there was never enough time in the day to admire the beautiful creatures.

As Sakura moved to steep out of the cave realization hit him. Sakura turned and looked at the banged up rider and took a glimpse at her nearly dead mount. They were obviously attacked but the who was in question. Now there are Pegasus scouring the mountain from the sky. "Crap" spoke Sakura as he moved back into his place in the cave.

Boom the sound of Pegasus hooves hitting the ground rung the cave. The Pegasus was near. Soon Sakura heard the sound of foot steps heading toward the cavern. Sakura lowered his head and peaked out two see two young Pegasus knights expecting the corpse of the once mighty Wyvern.

"Looks like her mount is dead" spoke one of the ladies as she pulled her spear out of the Wyvern. The young maiden had stabbed her spear into the beast to insure it's death.

"Wait" spoke the second girl as she walked toward the cave. Crap shouted Sakura in his head as the young rider walked toward the cave. The young maiden moved closer, and Sakura began to tense up. The moment she entered the cave he would be ready to attack.

The young lady stopped and reach down. She picked up the rider helmet and began to talk. "Look at this. She should not be far away" spoke the woman as she walked toward her comrade.

"Safe" spoke Sakura as the young maiden walked off.

[Sakura]

The two Pegasus riders remounted their Pegasus and took to the sky. In there minds the could get a better view of the area from the air. They could cover more ground that way.

As the two riders flew away Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. "Man that was a close one" spoke Sakura. He had no intentions of facing two well trained spear unites on his on. His swordsmanship was already weak, and the extra difficulty of fighting a spear proved almost certain death.

As Sakura stuck his head out of the cave he heard the sound of metal scrapping rock behind him. The young novice turned around to see the rider sitting up.

"Where am I" spoke the young woman as a sharp pain cut her speech off. "Ouch" cried the rider as she grabbed her shoulder. He head was also bleeding, but from what Sakura could see it was simply a scratch on her forehead.

"Here" spoke Sakura as he held out his hand with his vulnerary in it. Sakura was relieved however that he did not have to apply it himself. I would have generated a very uncomfortable conversation later once she had recovered.

The young red head was reluctant to take the vulnerary at first. She found it strange that she was in a cave and a random stranger was offering her his vulnerary. However the second wave of pain hit and the woman caution eroded fast. The maiden lifted her hand and took the vulneary from Sakura. As she removed it from his hand a few simple words escaped from her mouth. "Thank you" spoke the maiden as she held the vulnerary in her hands.

"You welcome" responded Sakura. As the words left his mouth the rider began to unstrap her shoulder plates. The motion caught Sakura off guard for a moment. The rider removed her shoulder plates and stared at Sakura for a second. It took a minute for him to catch on before he turned around and faced the outside wall. "Sorry" spoke Sakura as he stared toward the exit.

The young maiden chuckled at the sight of Sakura expression. He was obviously embarrassed by the situation, but his dark skin prevented a blush from showing. However his dimples appeared a trait that could not be seen in other situations.

As the young lady regained he composure she began to apply the vulnerary to her wounds. "So how did I get in here" asked the young lady.

Without turning around Sakura began to speak. "I brought you in here" spoke Sakura. "Your Wyvern fell from the sky and smashed into a tree. In fact you almost landed on top of me. If I was a couple of feet over you would have crushed me."

"Oh sorry about that" spoke the rider. "By the way what happen to Lilly?"

"Your Wyvern" spoke Sakura in a questioning fashion.

"Yes my Wyvern" spoke the young lady. "Her name is Lilly."

"Oh, well I am sorry to tell you Lilly is dead" spoke Sakura in a respectful tone. To a rider their mount is their life. Any insult to their mount was an insult to their mother, or that was what Sakura was told. In truth he did not know any riders Wyvern , or Pegasus. He actually had no real experience with that field.

"Dead" spoke the maiden. Sorrow could be heard in her voice. "Well I should not be surprise. I did take her over an Illian out post."

As the maiden finish patching herself up with Sakura's Vulnerary she began to place her armor back on. " Here you go" spoke the maiden as she threw it back to Sakura.

"Oh thank you" spoke Sakura as he caught it. Once it was in his hands he examined it. He had about two more uses before he would have to replace it.

"Thank you" spoke the maiden with a chuckle in her tone. "The one who should be saying thanks is me."

"Naw, don't worry about it" spoke Sakura as he placed the vulnerary in his bag. "It is only common curtsy to help someone when they are injured."

A smile rolled over the young red head face as Sakura words left his mouth. "You know most people don't like you plains men, but you all are alright in my book" spoke the rider.

"Plains men" asked Sakura in confusion.

"Are you not a plains men" spoke the maiden. "Your shirt seems to give you that image."

Sakura looked down and noticed he was wearing the black Sacaen shirt. "Oh this thing" spoke Sakura. "I hate to ruin the moment, but I am not a plains man. I am actually from Lycia. I just obtained this shirt a while back wore it because it looked cool."

"Really" spoke the rider as she sized up Sakura. She was looking for any sign of him lying.

"Speaking of witch" spoke Sakura in an attempt to change the topic. "Why was your Wyvern, um I mean Lilly, in such a condition. Did you get attack by bandits or something."

[Sakura]

The young rider got quite for a moment. She was thinking over the idea of telling Sakura. If he did no understand her situation he life could be in danger, but if she did not tell him a misunderstanding could occur.

"They were not bandits" spoke the maiden reluctantly. "They were Ilian soldiers.

"Ilian Soldiers" spoke Sakura with a confused tone. Suddenly it hit him. Almost like a brick slamming into his face.

"I see" spoke Sakura. "I heard that the Bernanites were rebelling against Ilia. So you are one of these rebels then."

Immediately the rider went on the offensive. "What of it" shoated the rider. "So what if I am a rebel. The Ilian came and took our nation, our land! How would you react! What would you do if Ilia road into Lycia and took your land. Killing, pillaging, and plundering."

The rider sudden burst caught Sakura off guard. He did not want to make the lady uncomfortable. He was just curious about the situation.

For a moment Sakura placed himself in the place of the rider. He imagined the cruel soldiers he meet in Ilia entering into Tania. He envision the death and loss of culture. He thought of his mother and Alice.

"I would fight" spoke Sakura as he looked into the eyes of the rider. "I would fight." A triumphant smile rolled across the maidens face.

"So you understand" asked the maiden.

"Yes I do" spoke Sakura. "However this is not my fight. I will help you get to the next town, and then we will go separate ways. I did not come to Bern to be dragged into a war."

The smile disappeared from the maiden's face. "I understand. There is no reason to spill your blood for someones else's cause. Never the less I will accept your help. My home town is at the base of this mountain. If you can get me there I can be safe."

"Very well" spoke Sakura. "At next dawn light we will head for your home town."

"Why at dawn" asked the rider. "Why not leave now, or at night fall."

"The Illians are still looking for you. If we head out now or at night fall we will be caught for sure rider."

"Rider" asked the maiden with confusion in her voice?

"Well you never told me your name" spoke Sakura as he scratched the back of his head. "Actually now that I think about it you never told me the name of your home town."

"Well is it not courteous for a gentleman to give his name first" spoke the maiden.

"True" spoke Sakura. "My name is Sakura and I hail from the city of Tania. I am a wondering swordsmen."

"Tania" spoke the maiden as she wrapped the information in her head. "Well I am Grace Glenwood, and I am from Wallstone."

"Well Grace Glenwood" spoke Sakura. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

"Same to you Sakura of Tania" spoke Grace.

--SCENE CHANGE--

"Alright Grace I think it is safe for us to move out" spoke Sakura as the red sun rose over the horizon. The burning ball of fire left the sky in a series of brilliant shades of orange and red.

"Beautiful" spoke Sakura as he climbed out of the cave with his pack strapped to his back and his sword in it's sheath. Following suit was Grace. However Grace attire was now changed. She was no longer wearing her crimson armor. Instead she wore a simple black shirt and a pair of tan pants. Covering over her shirt was a brown cloak.

"Thanks for letting me borrow your clothing" spoke Grace as she climbed out of the cave. On her back was a brown bag that was filled with her armor.

"No problem. I am just a bit upset that they fit you so well" spoke Sakura as he began to descend down the mountain.

"Fit me so well" spoke Grace. "What is that suppose to mean? Are you trying to say I am fat?"

Sakura was quick to realize were this conversation was going. "No Grace not at all" spoke Sakura in a reassuring tone. "I simply meant that I was small. You are a girl, and females do not have as much muscle mass a men. I was upset because I thought I was small."

"Oh, so you are saying women are weaker than men then" spoke Grace as the duo descended down a path.

"No that is not it at all" shouted Sakura. He did not want to do this. Arguing with each other while trying not to be caught by Pegasus knights. "I meant nothing of the sort. Believe me, I was just upset about how small my muscles are. Nothing more."

Grace gave him the evil eye for a moment and then began to speak. "What ever Sakura. We have better things to do than argue."

Finally thought Sakura as Grace words left her mouth.

"I don't know why you started an argument in the first place" spoke Grace as she passed him. "I mean come on we are suppose to be hiding from the Ilian riders not grab their attention with yelling."

Or not spoke Sakura in his head. Either way the duo was on their way down the mountain. Wallstone was their destination.

[Sakura]

"So what brings you to Bern" asked Grace as they came to a road crossing. It was almost half past noon now.

Sakura paused for a moment as he collected words in his head. "I came to Bern to" Sakura paused for a moment. "Find myself" spoke the young novice.

Find yourself" spoke Grace with confusion in her voice. "You came to Bern to find yourself."

"I know it sounds corny" spoke Sakura. "But it is the truth. I came to Bern to get away from Lycia. There are people and things there I needed to be away from." In the back of his mind Sakura thought of Priam. The old man was extraordinary scary when he was angry. If that old coot ever got a hold of him he would drag him back to his mother, and then Sakura would have to face the crimes he committed against her. Leaving twice with only a letter. He had to get something. Something that would make it all worth while.

"I see" spoke Grace. "Your face tells your tale Sakura."

"What" asked Sakura as Grace words rang in his head?

"I said your face gives you away. I can see your fear. It is not the fear of a man who is about to die, but it still is a great fear. What did you do" asked grace?
Sakura looked at Grace and chuckled. "Is it really that obvious" asked Sakura. "Here I thought I was pretty good at hiding my emotions."

"Hate to rain on your parade" spoke Grace. "But you need a lot of work if you think you can hide your emotions."

"Well none the less" spoke Sakura as he took the first step on the left path leading to Wallstone. "It is a long and foolish tale. One not worth talking about." "No I ensist" spoke Grace. "I would love to hear about Lycia and the foolishness of it's people."

In Sakura mind he began to toss around two questions. Does she not get it, or does she not care. She was head strong that was obvious. Sakura could tell just by looking at her appearance.

"Well" spoke Sakura. "We are going to have to have that conversation at a later date."

"A later date" spoke Grace. "Why do we have to postpone our conversation for later".

"Simple" spoke Sakura as two Pegasus knights descended upon the duo. "We have guess, and I don't think they are the waiting type.

As one of the riders got off their Pegasus. Sakura began to watch them carefuly. There weapons were still in their hands, but the fact they were no longer on their mounts told him they had no intention of attacking.

Wait a minute thought Sakura. He noticed the hair style of one of the riders. She had the same hair style as the rider from the day before. There was no doughting it in Sakura mind. She was the same rider from yesterday.

As the riders close the gap to the duo Sakura motion to Grace to steady her hand. He did not want to start a fight with these Ilian soldiers for Grace sake and his own.

[Sakura]

As the riders walked toward the duo Sakura began to whisper to Grace. "Grace when they walk up to us I want you to hide behind me" spoke Sakura.

"Hide behind you" asked Grace with anger in her voice. "You expect me to hide behind you like a frighten little girl."

"To put it bluntly" spoke Sakura. "Yes I do. It is the only way to fool them."

Grace gripped her teeth as the two riders walked up to the duo. The riders did not let their guard down. They both stopped at the spear point. It was obvious that they noticed Sakura's sword. In case something happen they wanted to keep their range advantage.

Smart group thought Sakura as the first rider removed her helmet. Without her helmet to block the duo view the young maiden dark green hair was now visible.

"Excuse me" spoke the green haired maiden. "Have you seen anything suspicious of late."

This is an opening question thought Sakura to himself. They obviously had some suspicion about us, or they would not have landed. They seek to lure us into a false security.

Sakura pretended to think for a moment. "Sorry mam" spoke Sakura. "We have not seen anything suspicious at all."

"Really" spoke the second rider. Unlike her friend she did not remove her helmet. However her long purple pig tail still ran down the back of her white armor.

"We have been sweeping this mountain for the past two days and we have not seen you two at all. Now out of no were you randomly show up descending the mountain" spoke the purple haired rider.

"Alice" spoke the green haired maiden. Immediately Sakura mind when back to his child hood friend. It was quite ironic to him that he would meet another Alice on his journey.

"Calm yourself Alice" spoke the green haired maiden. "We were ordered to keep good relationship with the people. Also you are frightening his lady friend."

Grace blood began to boil as she hid behind Sakura. The very idea of hiding behind him like a frighten child infuriated her. However she held her peace. She knew better than to start a fight with the riders. She knew from experience that there are always more than two Ilians.

"Oh you mean May" spoke Sakura. Grace immediately caught on to what Sakura was doing. "She does not like soldiers and weapons much. She is a bit frighten by there presence."

"Pathetic" spoke Alice. Alice words stabbed Grace heart, and made her blood ignite with rage, but Grace still held her facade.

"So what kind of relationship are you two in" asked the green haired woman. As she asked the question a smile rolled over her face. Sakura could not tell if she was just being curios, or if she suspected something.

"Well she is my Wife" spoke Sakura. At that moment Grace punch him in the ribs. Sakura buckled from the pain. "Ouch" spoke Sakura. It was to late to hid it. It was quite obvious that the two riders knew what happen. "Well it is more like my betrothed" spoke Sakura.

"So your wife to be punches you in the ribs" spoke Alice.

"It was an arrange marriage" spoke Sakura as he attempted to recover his lie.

"Oh, I see" spoke the green haired woman. A saddening expression came over her face.

"Ahh, close to your situation Tena" spoke Alice.

Tena paused for a moment and then began to speak. "Don't worry about it May" spoke Tena with a forced smile. "I am sure you two will come to love each other."

"Is that for yourself" asked Alice. "Or is that for Tena."

"The both of us" responded Tena.

"umm" spoke Grace in a soft frighten tone. "I...I...If you are done asking you question can we please leave." Grace facial expression matched her voice so well that it was scary for Sakura. "We really need to make it to Wallstone, before it gets dark. I do not wish to make my father worry anymore than necessary."

"Oh, right" spoke Tena. "Sorry to take your time." As the two maidens walked back toward their mounts Sakura breath a sigh of relief.

Wasting no time the two riders flew into the sky. "Well that was a close one" spoke Sakura. As the words left his mouth he felt a great force slamming against his back.

[Sakura]

"Gwhaa" screamed Sakura as he fell face first into the hard stony ground. pulling himself off the ground Sakura turned around. "What was that for" shouted Sakura.

"What do you think it was for" yelled Grace back at him. "It was for making me a Wyvern Knight of Bern act like a weak little girl." All the anger and frustration that built up inside of grace as she endured the questioning of the Illian soldiers exploded on Sakura. This left the young novice confused and bewildered about the entire situation.

"What is that it" shouted Sakura with anger in his voice. "Your stupid pride is going to get us killed. Those Knights could simply swing around and be watching us to confirm our story. Instead of realizing this very factor you waste time an energy attacking me."

"Shut up you candy hair fool" responded Grace. "I know they could sweep around. That is why I only kicked you once."

"What" asked Sakura in a confused tone. "You know what never mind. How about we continue on our path down the mountain."

"Right" spoke Grace as she took the lead. Sakura followed behind her. He did not know the location of Wallstone, and he was already infamous for getting himself lost.

"This is going to be one heck of a trip" spoke Sakura as he descended the path right behind Grace.

[Sakura]

The Duo walked for several hours down the path to Wallstone. As they began to reach the base a thick fog began to envelope the path.

"What is with this fog" asked Sakura as they descended the path. "It came out of no where. I thought we would at the least be able to see it coming since we were descending down the mountain."

"Oh right" spoke Grace. "I almost forgot you are not from this area."

"What" spoke Sakura. "Is there something I need to know about. Just to let you know I generally don't like surprises."

"Oh it nothing to worry about" spoke Grace. This area simply has flash fogs."

"Flash fogs" spoke Sakura in a questioning tone?

"Yes" spoke Grace. "There are several little springs in this area of the mountain that releases vapor. This causes the area to become foggy out of no were."

"Is that not a nice set up. A natural shield of protection. So how much longer to we reach Wallstone" asked Sakura.

"About an hour" spoke Grace. "This strange fogging event helps protect the town from bandits. All we have to do is simply follow the trail" spoke Grace.

"Easier said than done" spoke Sakura as he ripped his way through the fog. "Just don't get lost."

"Me get lost asked Grace. "The only one who needs to worry about getting lost is you. I grew up in this region. I know all the traps and pit falls are at. "

[Sakura]

"Traps and pitfalls" shouted Sakura. This would be the first time he has ever heard of a village being guarded by traps. "Wait Grace, are you telling me the village is protected by pitfalls and other traps."

"What" asked Grace with a surprise expression. "It was just a figure of speech Sakura. I don't really mean there are traps around the village area. That would be quite dangerous for children."

"Oh" spoke Sakura as he breath a sigh of relief. "Anyway how much longer till we reach Wallstone."

"At this pace about an hour" spoke Grace. "Hmm this fog might be a bit of trouble for you tough Sakura."

"What do you mean" asked the young novice. "I thought you were going to lead the way the entire time."

"Of coarse" spoke Grace. "The problem comes up when you try to leave the village. The fog seems to thicken up, and it usually does not clear up for a couple of days."

"A couple of days" shouted Sakura. "That means I am more than likely have to rent a Inn room. That is going to cost me some coin."

"Well you could stay with us" spoke Grace. "My parents have a spare room. Besides it is the least I can do since you helped me out earlier."

"A generous offer" spoke Sakura. "However I am going to have to decline."

"What" shouted Grace. "Why not, what a Bern house is not good enough for you Lycian."

"Whoa, calm down Grace" spoke Sakura. "My reason for declining was strictly self preservation. It has nothing to do with politics and social standings."

"Self preservation" asked the red head.

"Don't forget you are a rebel" spoke Sakura.

"Freedom fighter" retorted Grace quickly.

"Freedom fighter" spoke Sakura appeasing Grace. "I simply do not wish to get involved in this conflict. Staying in the house of a person fighting is an easy way to get involved yourself."

Grace paused for a second to take in all what Sakura said. "I understand" spoke Grace. "No need to die for someone else's land."

"Oh come on you are making me out to sound like the bad guy" spoke Sakura.

"Well Sakura you should not say things that make it so easy to turn you into a villian" spoke Grace as she gave off a playful smile.

"Pshaw, annoying woman" spoke Sakura as they walked down the mountain. The fog around them continued to grow thicker.