There were rumors of war, and one often overheard insults and threats spoken openly now in the bank at Luna. Skatha knew it was but a matter of time, maybe hours, before her newfound love was called to serve his gods in the dark lands. That evening, as they held hands and wandered through the gardens of the palace of Nujel'm, he received word that he was to report immediately for duty. Such was the life of a warrior. She was not to hear from him for days after.

Pacing the floor of her stone cottage in Zento, she realized the stress was beginning to show in her actions. Distracted and worried, she had died to one of the Executioners now threatening Luna, and later that same day she stepped through the wrong moongate and landed in the midst of a major battle in the dark lands known as Fellucia. Spotted immediately by the enemy, she was paralyzed and an arrow penetrated her armor. As her world slowly turned grey she caught a glimpse of Marzan engaged in battle, his beautiful Mare Imbium responding to unspoken commands. Skatha then (so as not to distract him) stepped back through the moongate, sought a healer, and arrived home a bit worse for the wear.

Later Draco swooped in through the window, landing lightly on the desk before her, and released a small scroll. Skatha found a cut of ribs, offered it to the falcon and signaled for the falcon to wait, Reading the piece of tattered and blood soaked parchment, a wail of sorrow grew deep within, and for what seemed hours, cries of anguish shattered the stillness of the night. The blood on the parchment was his...... he could not return to her for days at the soonest.

He bore the mark of the Red ones.

Dipping her quill in the ink, she penned a reply, asking for more news and declaring her intention to go to him. Skatha knew not how, but she would find a way. Sealing the parchment with a bit of scented wax, she entrusted the missive to Draco, knowing he would fly via routes unknown to the enemies, and find his master.

"Draco, this i ask of you, dear one... find him, wherever he seeks shelter in the times between battles. Go now, Godspeed." Lightly brushing the tips of her slender elven fingers down the falcons feathers, she release him.

Skatha waits.

*he paced the length of his home waiting for Draco's return with possible word* where is that creature? he should have been back hours ago *he stopped his pacing to check his weaponry, he applied a fresh dose of the deadly poison to his kryss and made ready the warfork on his back and waited for the call to return to arms* The local magistrate wont forget this face to soon after my last exploits in this god forsaken war. *he glanced at the war patch on the breast of his armor "BTH"* I knew joining them would bring me closer to wars.....*shakes his head*....but a murderer, I clossed that line to far this time *his elven ears perked at the sound of approaching wings in the distance, will this be the call to war once again or will it be Skatha's reply* he kept watch out the windows trying hard to see through the driving snows of his new home* I hope she found the healers, damn my soul for not being able to help her or call out a warning to her *shakes his head*

*he jumped slightly when Draco landed lightly on his shoulder, small roll of parchemtn tied to his leg, a small smile crossed that war scarred when he recognized the wax seal* so you found her old friend, good, now go find food and I will call for you when I am ready * the falcon took flight to forage for food while his master penned his reply*

It doesnt look as if the war will end anytime soon my *taps the tip of his quil on his chin in thought* Rest assure I will return to you, perhaps not as the one you remember for I am now labeled a murderer and hunted for the bounty that is now attached to this name. I am not sure how just this war is but I fight it for the glory and as such the killings may keep me a murderer. I will let the magistrate take me once this is over so I may serve my time for these crimes to clear my name. I only hope you will still be here when my time is served.

*he called to Draco's mind to return to him, while he waited he rolled the parchment and set his seal to the wax. He turned to find Draco on his perch at his side. He tied the parchment to his leg and with soft spoken words the falcon flew off to the mainland* Gods speed old friend, I know you will find her and give her the news she seeks

*he quickly mounted Mare and with a Sactum Viatus was off to continue the war as called apon by his commander*

Miacus had offered friendship, and a warning. The first she was delighted to accept; the second lay heavy on her mind.

Skatha retreated to her library, her sanctuary, the place where she fed her soul; she took great comfort from the old books, and delighted in the newer ones. She propped a few pillows in the large library chair and settled in with her feet on the low table before her. Opening the book that was taken from the rat General, she tried to decypher the meaning of the words written there.

Concentrating was difficult, her thoughts wandered back to the visit from Miacus. His warning had come at the end of a pleasant evening, and all conversation prior to his last few sentences were lost to her memory.

"Beware," he spoke "of Marzan, for he has loved many and often in the past , and I was often the one who befriended them, held them as they wept, and helped them get their lives back together as he moved on to another."

Stunned by the unexpected comment, Skatha asked him twice to repeat the warning, to explain, for it seemed so unlike the Marzan she knew. He assured her that this was so, and that he did not speak to cause her pain, but merely to caution her to be careful. Farewells were exchanged, and she began preparation for the hunts that were schedule for the forthcoming days.

Now that she had a quiet evening at home once again, she mulled over the situation. Granted, he had been called to battle, of this she was certain. A dedicated warrior, his mind and body would be occupied with the task at hand. She had visited him in the dark lands once since, and after only a brief (but precious) time, he had received the call to arms once again.

There is no love, no gain, without risk. If the gods had arranged their meeting, their fondness for each other, she decided to put aside her doubts.

Perhaps the time had come for the quest she had long delayed. Hanali Celanil would surely guide her through these dark days.......

She began planning..... the time grew near now..... she must do this thing.

Smiling now, she rose from the chair, jumped lightly onto the table and began a dance of celebration... free of the dark thoughts that had marked the last few days... (and being quite careful not to fall from the tabletop and break any bones.......