Kora stood in the courtyard, pointing out various wagons to a small group of mages. Her dark emerald shirt was unbuttoned at the throat. The sleeves came to her elbows and had a pocket over the breast. Black breeches and tan boots completed the look. She had her uniquely designed weapon in a scabbard across her back (a double-edged sword that could be put together or swung independently), she decided over mid-winter to name it Reaper. No one could see the smaller knives she kept tucked in the tops of her boots, or the small of her back, and the one tucked between her breasts. Kora's brunette hair was in a loose fishtail braid down her back, bangs still loose in her eyes.
" The remaining seeds can go in this wagon here, and I will need the spouts and saplings strapped tightly, so they do not fall over. Make sure the bases are covered, so the dirt does not go all over the wagon. We want as many of these to make it to the first village as possible. Our job is to cultivate another round while there - so we can do the same for the next village and the one after that. Any questions?" The adolescent mages, understanding their responsibilities, bowed low and shook their heads.
Kora heard a shout from across the courtyard and turned. Shadow was running towards her, Stella right behind. She was ready for the ride as well, in a cream shirt and navy leggings, her boots a soft gray. She had a large knife strapped to her thigh, and a small sword - given to her by her brother, graced her hip. She greeted her adopted siter, winded from racing Shadow across the courtyard.
Oginalli (Oh-GUN-a-Lee) and Astila (Ah-Gee-La)-the respective ladies' horses-stood together, waiting for their masters. Shadow bounded around them, licking StarFire as she nibbled at him, like a mother mare with her colt. Shadow avoided getting behind Oginalli, who snorted as if to say, ugh, you are coming?
"Everything ready?" Stella stopped in front of Kora, leaning forward on her knees, catching her breath.
"Yes, we are just waiting for the boys and Ludis." Kora went over Oginalli's saddle and bags one more time. Making sure everything she needed to have within reach was all set. Turning, she saw the remainder of her party approaching with the new spy master, Ian. He was as tall as Royce, coming in just under Royce's 6'8. He had reddish blonde hair and so many freckles he looked tan. His impish grin had made her like him immediately, and his light-brown eyes always had a twinkle to them; Ian was thin, but well built. His knowledge of the nation was vast, and he moved through the coded reports they had built up with ease. The messages from the men of the Grey evaded his knowledge, but he set to work on them immediately- determined to have them figured out as quickly as possible.
Royce had also opted to braid his hair, one on each side of his bronze face, his black shirt almost half open, revealing his chiseled chest and flat stomach. Royce wore tan breeches and black boots. His sword hung at his side, and while you were unable to tell, he also had an assortment of knives hidden on his person. Upon finding that Kora had a talent for it, Royce had gifted them all with small sets of knives and throwing them had become one of their favorite pastimes.
Ludis wore a soft lilac shirt and black leggings, with brown boots. She had decided to let her hair grow, just like Stella had. Her black waves were now past her shoulders, where Stella's blonde tresses were to the middle of her back now.
Ben's brownish gray hair had grown as well, to his shoulders now, framing his face nicely. He wore a gray shirt and black breeches with brown boots. The colors matched his gray eyes nicely, and while he wore only the top button of his shirt undone, he still caused Kora's breath to hitch in her throat. He was so beautiful to her with his sculpted mouth and perfect body. His broad shoulders had his saddlebags slung over them, and he had a sword of his own strapped to his side. He wore a ring on his left hand, a midwinter gift from Kora to match her engagement ring.
Malik, of course, was immaculate in his mocha-colored shirt and black leggings, brown boots. His golden hair hung to his shoulders, with a distinct widow's peak. Malik's cornflower blue eyes matched Stella's, and he kept his blonde beard cropped close. Ian spoke first, handing Kora and Stella each a ring.
" You'll need these. It will show the informants in each village and town who they can report to. No need to seek them out, they will see the ring and find you." Kora whistled in appreciation, thinking how long Ian must have been working on his network. The band was simple, and the crest of Deirdre was stamped on the top. Two dragons atop a mountain, with a star and a tree in the background. It was a crude make, but they fit perfectly. Kora noticed that each of the members wore one on their right hands.
"I feel like we're in a gang now." Stella murmured, causing the others to laugh.
A hostler approached with the other horses, and they mounted up. They made a handsome group, the gathering crowd whistling and calling wishes of good fortune. They turned for the main gate, and at the calls of the horns, the party set out. Shadow raced ahead, out the gate and down the road. A squad of soldiers surrounded the party. With Karta taken care of, their next stop was the Nobleman's lands and village-Brendan Titan. Titan village was a three-day ride from Karta. They would be on the road for a week. Brendan was a good man, and part of the first nobles to come to Malik's recruiting efforts within the nobility. After Ben's aunt Beatrice's explosive display had landed her banned from court life, the nobles were much more eager to appease the royalty.
Ludis was riding with the young mages who had come to assist. Riding on either side of the wagon, they carefully watched the plants and seeds Kora had charged them with. The group was the mages from Ludis's recent recruiting efforts within the common born. Ludis, Kora, and Stella agreed, this would be a great learning opportunity for them. Kora had found that two of the adolescents, a small girl named Cherie and a strapping young lad named Blake - both from the capital's slums-had an affinity for plant magic. It was rare, since traditional mages drew their magic from within their own life force. Their ability to grow things took careful concentration, so as not to drain your life force into the plant to make it grow. Kora was the closest they had to a plant mage even though her magic was elemental, so she began to teach them. Being a Fae and teaching plant magic had been hard at first, but Ludis had guided her on how to monitor each student's magic flow, and Kora found quickly that she enjoyed teaching these young minds about the earth. Cherie was a tiny redhead, with blue eyes and a soft voice. Blake was loud like Royce, and as mischievous as Ian seemed to be. His dirty blonde hair stood out in a crowd, and his brown eyes were always crinkled in a smile. Both had shown exceptional skill, in their page training and in magic. They were eager learners, and an asset to this spring and summer's mission.
Kora and Ben approached them, smiling under their hands as the teenagers struggled on horseback. Only Blake seemed to have adjusted well, while Cherie bumped and shook, much as Stella had last year on campaign.
" Are all of you ready for the work ahead?" Kora asked, trying not to laugh at poor Cherie's miserable face. Blake was animated-he had never left the capital and was excited to see the world.
"Your grace, I was born for this!" He called, and his horse pranced, catching his excitement. Ben came forward on his blonde stallion to grab Blake's reins and helped him calm the steed down. Ben gave him a few quiet minutes of instruction, and Blake nodded, taking it all in like a sponge. Blake had placed Ben, Royce, and the King on a pedestal, and wanted to be exactly like them. As they wrapped their conversation up with the teenage mages in training, Ben Ludis and Kora spurred their steeds to catch up with Royce, Stella, and Malik in the front.
They were now privy to Stella and Malik's private jokes. Lead the cavalry - term for let us ride out front and talk. As they drew up to their sides, Ludis leaned over, standing on her saddle, to peck a kiss on the king's cheek. Smiling, she looked at the others, then spurred Mud Pie into a gallop, Malik grinning as he took off after her. Royce, whooping the war cry of his people, smacked Star Fire on the rump, surprising the mare and Stella. They galloped off together. Ben and Kora joined them, all racing down the road. The freedom of being on campaign again in their blood, they all whooped and laughed, racing towards the sunrise.