Larene and Lady spent the day learning about each others capabilities. She had been worried that her lack of time spent in the saddle recently would be dangerous on such a steed, but soon found that Lady would not allow he to fall. It truly was as if they were made for each other.

Larene found a small glade where she let Lady roam about to graze. She sat upon the soft grass and let her mind wander back to an earlier time.

Knight Captain Larene D'Ahrwen galloped ahead of her company. They had received word from a small village on the frontier border that there were strange beings in the forest. The council had had other reports, but never this close to a populated area, and took it not seriously. Larene pleaded with the council to let her talk in person with the headman of the village. She knew Kayla, a retired Knight himself, to be a brave man and experienced enough to assess whether help was needed. But the council had bigger issues at hand and promised to discuss the matter as soon as possible. She was order to stand by and await orders.

A week passed as she obediently awaited orders to ride. Each day she entered the council chambers only to be told soon. Finally she could take this no longer and stormed into the council room with her Lieutenants to either side.

"Milord!" She almost shouted as she tried to get past the men-at-arms whose job it was to stop those as she from disturbing the council.

All eyes turned her direction. "Milord, I must speak..now." she demanded as was her right as a minor, yet all the same member of the council.

The great lord closed his eyes, hands on resting on a giant battle map in the middle of the room. "Tis okay, let her pass."

Not waiting for the men-at-arms to remove his hands she jerked her arm free and gave the guard a look that said never again.

She quickly made her way to the Lords side and saluted. "Milord. A weeks time has passed, we must.." she was interrupted by the Lord.

"Aye, I know and I am sorry. Look here and tell me what you see." he said pointing to a large map of the lands. It was covered with flags, all representing outposts and concentrations of personnel. Scattered along the frontier, just outside the realm were more flags, all black, this meant enemy camps. These were mainly on the north and western borders to the frontier.

She surveyed the map and knew the council debated where the thrust would come. She knew before she began to speak that her request would be turned down. Kayla's village was in the exact opposite direction, long from the expected battle area. She took a bit of time to walk around the giant map. Its tale indeed did point to an attack to the north west. But she also noticed that along the Eastern frontier were the Sha'Heron Mountain range. It would be easy for an entire army to make its way down the backside of the range without being noticed until it was too late, and with the largest portion of the Realms protection many leagues away.....

"Milord," she said pointing to the black flags along the northwestern border, "are these actual sightings or reports?"

"Reports from the frontier scouts. Received in writing by messenger." he answered quizzically, for he knew she well knew the procedures. Reports were to be sent by messenger that the scouts might stay their stations to continue reconnaissance.

"And there were no irregularities of course." she stated.

"None Larene." he stated immediately, "Well, that is not true, Captain Niven was killed on one of the scouting missions, so the reports have come in from her Lieutenant. But that is proper under the circumstances."

"Ahem." was all she said as she continued to stare at the map. "And the captain has not been replaced?"

"Nay, we needed all others to mobilize the armies. We promoted the Lieutenant. He now is in-charge of the scouts. He is a capable man by all accounts. His reports have been quite detailed, in fact extremely detailed."

"I see that." she said. "Tis very good these scouts must be to have lost only one during all this time." she mused outloud. "Truly Tyr must be on with this one. To survive these deep penetrations without lose of men, except of course for the Captain."

It was the Lords turn to stare at the map. She had indeed hit upon something that had bothered him, but with the constant input of reports, he had not the time to think of the amount of detail, which now seemed inordinate. As he thought he looked up to see Larene tracing with her fingers the Sha'Heron range, so far from the armies which even now where many leagues away, in the other direction.

"Tyr save us if you are thinking what I think you are." he said through clenched teeth.

"My company and I can be there in but days if we travel hard Milord. Twould take but a short time to discover whether or not my fears are true, and to ensure the safety of the village. Kayla is not one to run scared Milord. I trust him." Larene stated as she awaited what she hoped now would be a quick decision.

"Go. And may Tyr help us if we've been deceived. Good luck Captain and swift journey!" he said to an already retreating Larene.

She heard the battle room explode in excitement as she made her way out. She knew she did not envy his task now, she only hoped they were not too late.