Tirost/Logs/dawn-ic-fic

Dawn

The rosy light of dawn stretched across the sky, as two figures made their way along the trail to the top of the hill. Both were aware that behind those clouds, instead of the last twinkling of stars fading before the sun's light, three great figures loomed. Cresting the hill, the two humans came to their campsite, little more than a pile of wood and two backpacks.

"Fire, Tirost," said Lymira as she stacked the wood into a simple cone, layered at its base with the driest material. Tirost slung the buck off his shoulder, sweat glistening on his forehead, and his breath making small clouds of steam. He knelt, and touched the wood and dry brush, instantly setting it ablaze. The two worked together as they always had to prepare a breakfast of berries, apples and venison. A strange alchemy of emotions touched the soul of Tirost, as his sister hummed the ancient Gamgweth tune his mother had so often sung for them when they traveled.

With the food prepared, the siblings sat on nearby stones, looking out at the Wolf Clan below. The autumn mists lingering in the dells, streets and amid the lodges and dwellings of the town. The day before they had walked countless leagues through the forest, beside the banks of rivers, and along the game trails of western Zoluren. They had spoken for anlaen about the encasements, the Heralds, those who were missing, and the one who returned, but now, after the silence of the morning hunt, they sat together in peace, enjoying a meal and listening to the beautiful song of a nearby lark.

Suddenly, Lymira leaped to her feet. Startled, Tirost also rose, his hand, on instinct, tracing the geometric patterns that shaped his magic. "Look," said Lymira, pointing to the horizon. There, as though still very distant, a host of thirty eight Men and Women clad for battle appeared, wielding silver weapons trailing faint stars. The siblings stood in amazement watching the divine forms move through the heavens. "I should go," said Tirost, breaking the silence. He started to approach the fire, but Lymira stood in front of him. "I'll take care of this," she said. "Be careful."

"You too." Tirost slung his backpack over his shoulder and hugged his sister. "Get them back!" she called as he started down the hill toward the Crossing. "Bring them all back!"