Flying above the western silver sea that stretches far beyond the coastline of two mountains covered with crystal trees, a black raven with a red eye, soared high above in pale orange sky, flapping hastily with its two small but powerful wings towards the coastline of Ataxia.
It had been sent by Vedon to keep an eye on Wintera for any vital information concerning those suspected to be among the red wolf warriors, that happens to be the only opposing force strong enough to prevent him from conquering all the sects in Asteria and beyond, for he had long been prepared for this objective,and wouldn't want any hindrance to his plans.
The raven flew past the coastline into the island called Ataxia, where abundant food and water nourishes the inhabitants including the ruthless Agek tribe that was widely known all over the realm, for their cruel as well as cunning behavior towards their own kinsmen and strangers from other sect.
They have skilled warriors that were well trained ranging from the lowest swordsmen to the commander-chief of their own army. And most of their weapons were made of solid red stones that was sharp and curved, including swords and curved axes that were well carved and furnished into sharp blades by most of their slaves that were captured during war with other tribes. Since the island was not large, the Agek tribe stationed guards at each landmark of the island in order to secure their territory and to watch out for intruders of any kind. The scouts were placed at intervals with each having their own durations to perform their duties and when it will end.
The raven alighted on the coastline with ease and drank from the sea for some minutes before flying undetected by any outpost, to a tree filled with different varieties of sweet fruit since a single plant in the realm could produce different types of fruits and still retains it nutritious content without losing the taste to the other fruit. The tree had an enormous height, with broad green leaves that covered the forest floor, and a large section of forest.
Y Hopping on one of its branches , the raven quickly moved closer to one of the fruits that is ripe and attractive enough to devour. Then it began to fill it's belly with the fruit which took five minutes, and then flew down to the dense grasses beneath the tree, shape-shifting into the form of an Agekian creatures in order to conceal his identity and to easily carry out his second mission, to obtain secretly, the soul stone of the Agek people which strengthens their powers. He also did so because the Agek tribe detest strangers who enter to procure supplies of food and those who try to smuggle out food without their consent, under the impression of seeking shelter or refuge in their Island. This made them to enact a stringent trial, that any stranger including those who comes to procure food for their true must undergo, which involves being tested for ten full moon by placing them with combat weapons, at the other end of the valley inhabited by small wolf like creatures called the redeaters because the forest is entirely covered with red trees.
With these thoughts in mind, he venture through the thick forest where sweet noises made by forest dwellers filled the air all round him as he surges forward unaffected by it.
He moved a bit faster, not mindful of the forest shade bearing down on him as well as the sweet noises that filled the whole forest, for he was told by Vedon to quickly finish his mission before the Zek warriors reaches the island.
He increased his pace as he moved faster with great agility through the forest and eventually saw a clear path that was paved to the remote parts of the island. There were neatly trimmed bushes covered with spiky red plant, done by folks belonging to the Agek sect.
After reaching the far end of the pathway, he turned left moving a little distance towards a treehouse made of durable fibres of red wood that was adorned with blue flowers at the top and corners of the house,while a spiral staircase made of furnished red stones, ran down to the bottom of the tree.
"Is anyone home!", he yelled at the front door after a few minutes of climbing up the metal stairs. Then he waited for some minutes to pass and began again to knock loudly on the door a second time, which was louder than the first,
"Please answer the door!", he shouted with frustration as he continued to bang the door. Then a female voice quickly interrupted him saying,
"Hey you! Why are you banging the door so hard? Do you wanna pull it down?!", the voice inquired,
"Who said that?", he asked immediately and quickly looked around to see who spoke out to him for he was a bit enchanted by the pleasant sound made by the voice,
"Hey stranger, look down here from the treehouse", said the voice from below. Then he obeyed and saw a pretty young female whom adorned her dark hair with lovely blue and yellow flowers, that was neatly woven together with her ponytail. She carried a small basket, which weaved with tree stems, filled with fruits and some dry herbs on her left arm while she tied a blue cape to her red gown which covered her pale purplish skin and had a small nose with a loosed hair dangling between her purple eyes.
He marvelled at such a wondrous sight and said to himself "Wow, what a pretty creature standing before me, no wonder the Agek sect find it hard to marry off their females to other sects",
"Who are you? And what are you doing here?", she asked with a serious look at him for she wasn't amused at the sudden appearance of a stranger at her doorpost.
"Well... I am...onl..", he stuttered still feeling stung by her beauty,
"Speak up now! I'll be compel to raise an alarm if you don't clearly tell me why you are here at my house", she threatened with a sneer that looked charming to him and turned around to leave but he promptly stopped her from going any further.
"Hold on a minute, please don't inform anyone. I'll tell you the reason why I am here so don't tell on me please", he quickly pleaded in order for his plan not to be ruin if the guards were to come and ask him questions about his background.
Then she turned back and looked at him waiting to hear what he had to say.
"I'm currently seeking refuge for a place to live for the time being until I complete my last trading service before leaving the island for this deal with fetch me huge amount of quans", he explained smoothly but she was still suspicious and said,
"But you aren't here with any traveling luggage you suppose to travel with, how can I trust you?", she inquired at once and began to climb up the stairs,
"Well I think I left it somewhere beneath those bushes over there", he said indicating with a smirk across his face, to a nearby bush close to an old tree
"Okay but I detest strangers so please leave before I tell on you", she replied now half way up the stairs.
"Please gentle miss, accept my request for I'll only stay for a few days before leaving the island and I promise you that I won't cause you any harm with my actions during my stay with you, and concerning the meal, I'll do well to repay it with servitude", he said as he kowtowed before her.
She was greatly moved by his affectionate words, and asked, "What is your name?",
" My name is Harus", he replied smiling at her,
"Alright I agree since you are polite enough to ask to stay here but again, you will answer some questions tomorrow because I'm seriously fatigue after working for several hours at my little garden not very far from here. So get your things and put them inside ", she said and then put down her small basket on the window close to two other flower pots while bringing out an handkerchief and went inside. Then he hurried down the stairs and walked out of sight to a nearby bush.