"I see, well Rowan, I believe you are the child of two immortals. I know who you are if you couldn't already tell. I am very well informed. Plus, your aura is much like your father's. I could recognize it immediately. Although he has no real powers other than being immortal, I believe your mother may have passed down whatever sort of powers she has to you. Rowan, you may have much more power than you even know. I am willing to help you discover these powers of yours if you'd like. As for the manticore, that has been happening more lately. There is some sort of rift that's causing these monsters to become more apparent as of late an- Oh look who it is. My favorite second in command, you may come in Alvaro." The faerie had appeared in the doorway and seemed to be waiting for the go ahead. His wings flapping intensely as he settled down. His feet gently touching the floor of the treehouse. The green mark giving off a constant glow of bright green light. "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"

"Before I even think about your offer - what's your name? And what's his again?" She questioned, pointing to the guy, "He is there one I ran into at the border." Rowan remembered skills - not names.

Alvaro wasn't stretching the truth at all, the guards, although experienced, were mostly muscle only and speed wasn't their thing. Alvy was the only guard type person who wasn't big and muscular. Faeries tended to adapt to the oncoming future. Even if they didn't know it. Most of the time they didn't. Alvaro was starting to see why the last 80 years had started producing more muscular faeries. They were needed for protecting the clan.

She took on a more serious tone, "Now, while I do appreciate your offer of helping me with my... magic," Rowan made a face, "I'm going to respectfully decline. No offense, but I don't want to get all buddy-buddy with a stranger." War taught you lessons. A lot of those lessons consisted of betrayal, and learning not to trust as easily.

Her kind were illusive creatures, the type to be seen yet disappear in a flash. Although there were stories of how the faeries really acted in the company of one another, no one human knew the truth. The real truth that is.

"I understand Rowan." Kori nodded with a smile, she could respect the wishes of someone like Rowan. A strong woman, like Kori herself, the difference was Kori was accepted in her society. Gender roles weren't assigned in the faerie world, possibly because everyone knew that listening to the wisest of the bunch was a smart thing, even if you were a woman.

"Well, unless there is more to be said, I believe this is where we part. You are welcome back to the town if you wish. Don't bring anyone else though. Next time, Alvaro won't send a wave of panic through our people and you won't be welcomed so unkindly." Alvaro shrugged and smiled that sideways smile of his that made him look like he was about to prank someone.

Rowan wouldn't go back "just cuz"

Can you think of anything that might drive her to go back? And maybe that's when she and Alvaro get closer?

Kori nodded her agreement, "perhaps you will see me again. Though I have a feeling next time you see my people I will either be dead or the circumstances will be horrible. I'm not sure which but it will definitely be one of those two." The older woman sighed and she suddenly seemed quite her age. Pressing her palm against her left eye before speaking again. "Alvaro, take Rowan back to the border. Although news will spread, some might believe her to still be a monster. Plus, she can't get out of my house anyways without dying on the way down. Fly her out Alvaro and then join the next patrol." The younger faerie nodded to his elder and stood up. Clem sinking lower into his wild hair.

It was crazy.

Rowan pulled on her coat and put her sword at her hip, fingers fumbling in their haste. The shouts and yells of the townsfolk could be heard from inside the inn, and Rowan didn't want to stay inside for much longer.

The little, innocent village was in the middle of a raid or attack. The raiders - who were much more prepared than the lazy residents - were from a group of hillmen, barbaric warriors with no mercy and a cruel streak.

When the sound of chairs thumping and falling downstairs reached the ex-knights ears, she knew that one way out was gone. Instead...

Pushing open the window, Rowan balanced on the narrow edge, raking her eyes along her room one last time, making sure everything important had been grabbed, then leapt onto the roof of the stables, which was lower than the inn.

Slipping down the side where there was less commotion, Rowan started opening latches of the stalls. No way were the townsfolk winning this fight. The raiders had been known to take towns off maps, and Rowan knew of their appetite for horseflesh...

Soon, all the horses had been released, knowing where to go with the help of Rowan's magic. She sent them to the faeries land - they would be safest with the protection of the animals huggers.

The only horse left was Frost, who had healed quickly from the scratches of their encounter with the manticore.

Mounting her semi-trusted stead, one hand in his mane as she straddled his bare back, Rowan bursted out of the stables, sword drawn and ready.

Monster attacks were starting to become more and more normal to the normal, long living faerie. Though many were still terrified.

By now, a curfew had been set for everyone other than the guards and the higher ups. Everyone had to be inside by the time the sun set behind the trees. Staying out late would most likely result in getting attacked. Going out into the forest alone resulted in attacks, basically anything ended in attacks. Everyone was quietly suffering from the deaths and the fact that they were all stuck inside the borders. The people who suffered the worst were Kori and Alvaro. Both blaming themselves for the deaths and Alvaro felt as if he was being suffocated in such a small space. As he was a Wanderer faerie, and staying in was never something he did often. So now there were many restless nights and he mostly slept through the day or visited the medical treehouse to help heal faeries who'd been attacked. That was his specialty after all.

It had been a sleepless night when Alvaro felt all the animals enter the border. Of course, he could tell it wasn't anything deadly but there were so many of the animals. He had to check it out. Promising he would come back and heal more people later, he launched himself out of the medic house and flew towards the area where the group of animals was; Clem joining him soon after. Landing quietly, his eyes widened at the sight of the panicked horses. There were so many.

Alvaro revealed himself and began to speak horse tongue, his wings exposed and his green mark burning through the darkness of the night.