"King Lowell, I urge you to abandon the idea of warring with the Fae! But if you insist, I am prepared to accompany you."
King Lowell snorted. "Prepared? Where are your potions and charms, Cormancer? Or are you planning to face the Fae with that little branch you call a wand? And why are you on foot? Do you intend to run alongside Bracer all the way to the borderlands?"
Cormancer sprinted forward, and stepped in front of Bracer. The powerful warhorse took offense, and lashed out with a front hoof. Simultaneously he grabbed the light mesh armor from the sorcerer's head. Cormancer gasped, and sat down hard.
King Lowell chuckled. "Why don't you stay here, and aid us with your spells? You aren't meant for the battlefield."
Cormancer ground his teeth. "Surroundifortrim!" he whispered.
Ravens and crows gathered around Bracer, from all directions. The horse snorted and attempted to rear, his teeth bared. The birds flapped close by, but didn't touch him.
"Whoa! Bracer, Cormancer, stop this nonsense - both of you!" shouted King Lowell.
"Back..." muttered Cormancer.
The birds flew up, and watched from a respectful distance. Bracer reluctantly tossed the steel mesh to Cormancer.
The king scowled. "See what I mean? Go back to the castle, and help us win this war."
Cormancer shook his head. "If I stay, not one of you will return. My ride is waiting, and my supplies are with him."
King Lowell sighed. "Very well. But I hope you didn't select the oldest plug in the stables. We can't go easy so you can keep up, despite your hatred of riding."
Cormancer grinned, then emitted a piercing call. "I don't hate riding, I just hate riding horses."
A raven the size of an elephant plummeted towards the earth. King Lowell's army wisely moved a respectful distance away, but Bracer and the king held their ground. The horse stomped, but quieted under his rider's gentle hand.
The huge bird plucked Cormancer from the ground, and rose. When it was high above the castle, it released him. Then it tucked in its wings, and dropped like a stone.
"The sorcerer will be killed!" a young soldier cried out.
King Lowell laughed. "If it concerns ravens or crows, Cormancer is safe as a babe in its mother's arms."
As if in response to the king's words, the bird pulled out of the dive, and placed itself under Cormancer. He landed lightly, then strapped himself into the soft leather harness.
King Lowell nodded at the young man, whose eyes were wide, and still glued to the sky. "He's just showing off. If you ignore him, he'll settle down. I'm glad he decided to use a bird, though. My four year old nephew's horsemanship is better than his!"
The soldier watched until the bird disappeared, then mounted his horse. "He can do that, but he can't ride a horse..."
The army moved quickly, and arrived at the edge of the borderlands in record time. They made camp within sight of the Delannes River.
When Cormancer finished scouting the area, he entered the royal tent. King Lowell was bent over a table of maps, frowning.
The sorcerer bowed his head in respect, then cleared his throat. "Sire the Fae are not amassing an army, from what I can see. I would recommend that we meet with King Vale and Queen Orchid before doing anything rash."
King Lowell shook his head. "They have my granddaughter. I won't meet with them, I'll destroy them and get her back at the same time!"
Cormancer dropped to one knee, and bowed deeply. "My king, I have more to report. My corvid friends have located your granddaughter, and she is not in the Fae's territory."
To be continued!
Describe what you see:
I see a king preparing to ride into battle. His warhorse is covered in gold and jewels. Neither he nor his horse are wearing armor.
Running beside him is a man with mesh armor on his head, but no helmet or body armor. He is holding something that looks like a wand.
In the background are soldiers, a castle, and large birds.
Describe what you feel:
I feel like the army is leaving in a hurry, perhaps without a lot of planning. The scene is a little too chaotic to be a planned March.
