Formal Meeting Area - Grylra
A room perhaps six meters on a side, with a large low table dominating the center. Thick pillows and mats line the table, allowing for comfortable seating by gryphons, and a few other races. A warm reddish mage light floats in the perfect center of the room, shedding an even, pleasant light.
Aubri pads in with a grin at Stormdancer, nodding. "Good evening!"
Stormdancer looks up from the papers and maps on the table. "Ahh, Aubri! Glad you could make it." There are a couple of other gryphons in the room - scouting wing leaders.
Aubri nods again. "Thank you. What's going on?"
Stormdancer skritches the back of his head. "Well, the scouts have reported odd activity near the Faelrah mountains. To the south of it. Which worries me. There's just not much left for the bugs to hunt there, Aubri. All the herds have run into the woods."
Stormdancer gestures at the map. The woods he indicates are all on the East side of the rivers that flank the Grylra aerie's mountain ranges.
Aubri cocks his head, "What kind of activity?"
One of the scouts answers, "We keep seeing glimpses of the Krrzn'tai...looks like scouting or small hunting parties. But they're not roaming like they usually do. They're sweeping very methodically." He looks first at Stormdancer, then at Aubri. "I don't know, Sir... it just... made the wing uneasy. I would have reported directly to you, but was told you were unavailable, so I came to Stormdancer."
Aubri nods and rubs his chin, looking at the map. "How far is that from the interface compared to Windhaven?"
The scout shifts. "Well. We're actually almost exactly as far from the interface as they are. They've got more mountain between them and the west... we've got the river. But the distance is almost identical."
Aubri says, "So distance isn't a reason they'd be more cautious? Sounds like they're looking for something, doesn't it?.."
Stormdancer nods. "Yeahh... it does, doesn't it. And that worries me. There's nothing at Stormwind for them - that was evacuated weeks ago."
Aubri says, "Maybe they're just searching for prey?"
Stormdancer says, "That's what I'm hoping. But I don't want to count on it. I want you to keep extra flights going along the river... it wouldn't be hard for a handful of them to slip across un-noticed. And I don't want them reporting back, if they do."
A sharp skreet sounds at the door, then it presses open. An exhausted scout staggers in, his sides heaving from exhaustion.
Aubri says, "Do they NEED to report to each--What in the??"
Aubri twists around and dashes over to the exhausted gryphon, "What's happened?"
The newcomer just gasps for breath a moment, before panting, "Sssir... bugs... fuh..." he gulps, wetting his tongue. "Found them... just crossing th... the river."
Aubri flutters his wings and rears back a little, glancing at Stormdancer. "Well, like you said... Can't let them report in! You," he points at one of the guards, "Scramble the wing on watch, now!"
Stormdancer hrrrfs. "Good instincts," he mutters to the first scout. "How many of them, and which direction?" he wonders?
The guard bobs his head once, then leaps out through the door - airborne in the Great Hall, before his tail even clears the opening.
The scout, a bit less winded, answers, "That's the bad part... they're not coming here. They're going back. The rest of my wing ... is following over them."
Aubri leaps into the air and follows the guard with a bound, wanting to get airborne without a moment's delay!
Stormdancer exclaims "F*CK!", or the local gryphon equivalent, and leaps over the table after Aubri.
Great Hall - Grylra
This is the great hall of the Grylra aeries, where official ceremonies are often held and the population often gathers for celebrations or just to mingle. You can tell this was once a much grander place than it is now, but it is still quite impressive. The floor is very flat, but lightly textured with interesting abstract patterns swirling through it. The walls are very high, at least eight meters at the lowest point, with great vaulting arches that rise to the ceiling. These arches seem to produce a steady, warm light which fills the room, though there are some randomly shaped areas that are dark.
At the south end is a large raised platform, apparently for speakers, musicians, or other kinds of performances. At the north end is a wide opening to the outside, flanked by a pair of alert watchgryphons.
Stormdancer snap turns, half-running, half-flying. To a startled guard near the exit to the plateau, he calls, "Search parties, now! Check for missing gryphons!"
Base of Grylra Aeries - Churnel Mountains
This long plateau deep in the Churnel mountains runs roughly north/south. Great towering gray rock rises in all directions around you, and the only way out of this valley is by a narrow trail that follows a rocky ledge to the north east. At the western end of this plateau are several dozen cave like openings, probably gryphon aviaries. At the base of the southern mountain, easily reached from the ground, is a large opening into what seems like a large hall.
In a central location, in a broad clear area, are the remains of a huge design in wood, stone, and earth, tens of meters across. In the middle are the remains of what was obviously a huge bonfire. Long cold, the ashes are being carried away by the winds, day by day. Snow hides from the sun, building up in the shadowed places, and along the northern edges of boulders.
To the North, the plateau continues on, rising at a gentle but steady slope. At the base of the western cliff face, a wide, low cavern leads to the common sleeping area. To the southwest, a much larger opening leads to what seems to be a formal gathering area. Enormous stone spires arch upwards, like smooth ebon gate-posts, on either side of the pass leading northeast, downward and away from the plateau.
Aubri dashes to the guardhouse where the wing on-guard is exiting and forming up on the sand. "Get in the air, we have Bugs to kill--before they get back to their territory!" he screeches.
Stormdancer calls to the guards who normally flank the outside of the entrance to the Great hall, as well as the one on station near the library. "You! Get to the hatchery, and alert the hens and guards there. If this goes bad, we're evacuating. Windhaven lost hundreds, maybe thousands, trying to fight those bastards. We're not going to do that. We don't have the resources." To the other, he instructs, "You, same for the healers. They'll fight you - don't let them. I hold you personally responsible for getting them, and their patients, prepared."
Stormdancer turns his attention to the third. "You, spread the word. I want every fighter and spear dropper alert, and ready. The ballistae armed, and crossbows distributed to all who can use them."
Dove comes running out of her and Aubri's cave, hearing the commotion. She sees the flurry of activity and fears the worst. She runs up to Storm, waiting off to the side to find out where he wants her.
The guards look mightily confused, since Stormdancer didn't bother to tell them what they're preparing for... until that last, and then it becomes clearer. All three chirp their understanding, and leap skyward to their appointed duties.
Aubri turns and nuzzles Dove as she arrives, "We've got a few bugs that are returning to their territory... Gotta kill 'em all, before they get back with whatever they found out."
The sky above the aerie is a light gold, tinged with red. The twin suns are going down in the west, though still above the horizon. And the air is full of the sound of gryphons taking flight, or riding the wind overhead.
Dove nods to Aubri, telling him before he dashes off, "I must warn you, I haven't regained all my energy from the incident at the Western Interface. I can only toss a few spires before I turn on."
Mathias wanders out from the library, extremely surprised by the commotion. Feels a chill in his spine as he sees the activity.
Stormdancer says, "Ahh, Dove!" He beak touches briefly. "Yes... we'll see. I won't have you destroying yourself. You alone can't save the aerie." He skrees, deafeningly loud to softer species, "I NEED FIRE CARRIERS!"
Stormdancer calls to Aubri, "Get your wing air bound, and give chase. I'll start organizing defense."
Dove nods to Storm, telling him, "I'm telling you now, I will defend this aerie as long as possible and you must make full use of me once I'm on. I can't control myself. But there's something I must tell you..." She doesn't see Mathias in the commotion just yet.
Stormdancer cocks his head slightly. "What's that, Dove?"
A pair of gryphons from one of the high ledges come down. One of them carries a smoking jar, the other carries a similar jar, which is not yet lit. They trot over to Stormdancer, who gestures them to Aubri. "Set fire to the plain, if you have to, Aubri," he chirps.
Mathias moves quickly to try and find the area he can get the highest vantage. Surveys the terrain as best he can, curses himself again for being too enthralled in the library to realize something like this could happen.
The two chitter together briefly, getting the second jar lit.
Dove sighs, stepping directly in front of Storm, making sure she has his full attention, telling him, "If I disappear while fighting on the ground, leave me. Trust me, I should be fine. When it is safe to return, come back to where you last saw me and call me. Order me to return and I will. I don't have the time to explain it now, you'll have to trust me. But I pray it doesn't come to that. But promise me you'll let me fight as long as possible to protect everyone. Promise me!" Her eyes plead with this request.
Stormdancer looks at Dove dubiously... growls... then nods. "I will. If you die, though...." he lifts a claw in mock-threat.
The cliff sides come alive as word is passed of the possible threat. Hundreds and hundreds of gryphons call and shriek back and forth, the noise echoing among the rock faces. And further north, the number may be in the thousands. The air thunders with the sound of wings.
Dove tosses her head to the side in a sharp negative, "I won't. I have too much to live for. Thank you." With that she dashes off to make some last minute preparations. She notices a lone figure standing out in the bustle of large bodies and makes her way to him. "It's not safe for you here, Mathias. The Krzzn'tai are too close. We believe they'll attack."
Stormdancer pauses a moment, and watches his people, visibly prideful. "Great skies, there is not an aerie in all the spheres as great as this."
Mathias nods. "Trust me, from the damage I saw at Windhaven and the stories I heard there I am quite aware of that. Just let me know the way you are taking the children and eggs. I doubt I would be any use against a frontal assault, but I will at least guard the direction you will be taking them if I can. And I need some form of weapon." Mat's hand absently grips the lowers part of thee bundle behind him, but not very obviously.
Aubri takes the burning jars and nods. "I will, if I must..." He grimaces.
Aubri whistles to the guards and takes flight. "Let's go!"
The gryphons under Aubri's command shift eagerly, looking to him for the command. Several others have come to volunteer themselves to him as well.
Dove nods to Mat. "Thank you. Hang on and I'll show you the stores of weapons we have courtesy of the centaurs. By the way, can you use a crossbow? It's safer to use distance weapons on them..." She keeps an eye on the hustle and bustle around her.
Aubri's wing thunders into flight after him, forming up with expert precision.
Aubri calls to Dove with a grin as he rises, flicking a wing to her.
Western Sky - Near Faelrah Mountains
Slowly undulating grassland mixed with lazily rolling hills glide by underneath you, a prime hunting ground for many different species of large herbivores. Just to the east is the mountain cluster of Faelrah, which also houses the fortress of Stormwind, intended to protect against invasion from the western interface. The path is also clearly visible, twisting its way among the grasslands, pitted and marked with wheel tracks.
Far northwestward, almost to Stormwind, the small wing of scouts can be seen, obviously circling in distress.
Aubri and his entourage power up to the group, joining the circle and peering down at the bugs below. "There they are! Go! Go! Go!"
The lone group spies the newcomers, and send one to meet halfway. "They're too fast!" he skrees across the distance between. "We killed one, but then the others split up! We tracked most, but... we lost some, sir!"
Aubri spits an expletive, looking at the fire jars in his claws. "How fast, are they still on the plains?"
On the earth far below, a few of the scouting groups of bugs can be seen. About a kilometer away, what looks like the closest of the bugs who are returning to them. The winds, in a perverse gesture of nature, are absolutely still.
The scout nods, sweeping closer. "Just there, sir.... they haven't even reached the base of the Faelrah yet. Not... the ones we know about anyway."
Aubri quickly instructs a sufficient group to go after each bug, winging hard for the interface. Did they get close enough? What do they know? How will the bugs react?? He looks at the firepots again, gripping them almost tight enough to shatter as he finds the weight of the decision to burn up this year's grazing on his shoulders alone.
The interface is a long, long way away. But there's something.... strange... the shadows of the twin suns seem to slip and slither across the pale stone face... move un-naturally along the ground near it's base.
Aubri glides in a long circle, peering down... The whole base covered by bugs?? He descends a bit for a clearer look.
It is. From dozens of the deep ravines near the base of the shield wall, uncounted numbers of the bugs stream forth. And though there can be no possible way that the original scouts are that far... they stream outwards, following the paths laid down by the smaller hunting parties. Due southwest. In a razor straight line towards Grylra.
Aubri hisses and spits another curse. He lobs one firebomb at the base of the mountain, right at one of the ravines. The other he hangs on to, flying farther toward.. Grylra...
The bomb arcs downwards... downwards.... vanishing... then erupts into a broad splash of flame. The dried grasses quickly catch fire, and a brilliant plume rises in the growing dimness of evening.
The wing under Aubri's command swirls in formation with their leader. "Should we try to fight a delaying wave?" one calls, looking back and down at the advancing wave.
Aubri closes his eyes tight against the sight, ignoring the frying bugs below, hating to do this to his own land. He rejoins the ground, shaking his head. "Everybody up! We...have to burn them out."
Wide eyes greet this command, but they obey quickly, like the seasoned veterans they are. Within moments, all are in flight, though circling low, staring in horrified fascination at the advancing streams of glistening black chitin.
Mercifully, a faint southern breeze ripples along the tall dry grasses, waving them like an ocean... and fanning the flames from the first bomb higher. The crackle of burning grasses grows, and the flame front spreads as it begins to march south, across the path of many of the bugs.
Aubri heads inland to cut off the approaching bugs, trailed by his wing. "You all go ahead," he says as he judges they've reached far enough... "I'll be along shortly," he says gesturing to the bottle.
The head of the wing calls, "Yessir! We'll form up over the river, and wait for you!"
Meanwhile, back at Grylra right after Aubri and his wings leave...
Stormdancer glances to Dove, and sees her talking with the visitor. He trots over. "Can you handle a crossbow, Mathias?"
Mathias says, "I can if I must. Although I am better with something that slices. I am faster than I look, but best not to test reflexes unused in quite a while." in common.
Stormdancer shakes his head. "You don't want to get close enough to slice. Trust me."
Mathias says, "Considering the numbers I have heard these things attack with and speed, I am sure you are right." in common.
Mathias nods as he speaks.
Dove grins despite the overall feelings around her, wing waving to Aubri. She silently prays she'll see him again alive after all this... She turns to Mathias, saying, "Let us take care of the slicing. You just help protect the young. We need all the help we can with them."
Mathias nods in agreement. "Sounds the best course for me. I can't quite strafe individual targets like you all."
Mathias says, "Where can I get a crossbow and some bolts?" in common.
Stormdancer mhrrs a moment, then calls up to one of the guard nests. A few moments later, a crossbow hurtles down. Stormdancer rears, flashes out a claw, and snaps it out of the air. He tosses it to Mathias. "Right here," he chiurps. There's a bundle of 20 bolts loosely bound to the side of the stock.
Mathias catches it with quick reflexes, but eyes it a lil warily as he settles it into his grip, not completely familiar with the weapon.
Dove can't help but smile at the quickness and ease of it all with Storm. She looks around for the best place for Mathias to stay at before he's forced back to the hatchery. She points Mathias to a perching rock near the entrance to the great hall. It's one of her rocks, actually. "You can perch up there and get a good view of the plateau. Just slide off the back and you can get inside quickly with plenty of cover."
Mathias nods his thanks. "Which way will you be getting the eggs and children away? That is the direction I will be following."
Dove thinks, "River. The waterfall goes back behind the aerie to a private beach we have."
Mathias nods. "If they have to evacuate that way I will guard the rear with the guard there as long as possible."
Stormdancer hrrrrs. "Right. We'll move them out to the beach first, for quick flight. If we must, we'll take most of them to flight, first. Then... across the Tyber. Shelter along the river there. If they come that far...
Stormdancer eyes Mathias. "Hold still, and trust me," he commands, tensing...
Dove nods, "From what I've heard, they *hate* water. I only wish my control of water is what it is for stone. I could just flood the plateau. But I can't, so we're doing what we can."
Mathias stands still watching Stormdancer curiously.
Mathias nods.
Stormdancer leaps forward, snatches Mathias up in his talons, wrapping them around his upper arms, and FLAPS, hard... rising up a quick 30 meters, then dropping back down. "Alright, you can stay. You're an easy carry, without a net."
Dove watches, also curious as to what Storm does.
Dove blinks, wondering how Mat took that quick trip...a small smile creeps onto her beak as Storm lands again.
Mathias stands very still and holds his muscles tense, not moving to dodge as he is grabbed and trying to not move more than he has to in Storm's grasp.
Mathias thinks it is not quite like the giant eagles he once road in the skies of his world, and wishes this could have been as smooth. Cant' help but chuckle to himself.
Stormdancer breaks into a trot, heading back to the great hall... apparently expecting both Dove and Mathias to follow.
Dove follows Storm, ready to go.
Great Hall - Grylra
This is the great hall of the Grylra aeries, where official ceremonies are often held and the population often gathers for celebrations or just to mingle. You can tell this was once a much grander place than it is now, but it is still quite impressive. The floor is very flat, but lightly textured with interesting abstract patterns swirling through it. The walls are very high, at least eight meters at the lowest point, with great vaulting arches that rise to the ceiling. These arches seem to produce a steady, warm light which fills the room, though there are some randomly shaped areas that are dark.
At the south end is a large raised platform, apparently for speakers, musicians, or other kinds of performances. At the north end is a wide opening to the outside, flanked by a pair of alert watchgryphons.
Stormdancer calls encouragement to those bundling up important belongings, and preparing for flight.
Mathias curses himself for not experimenting with magic in this world yet, but has seen the dangers of using magic on foreign worlds, and knows it could be a greater risk than help. Especially since all he has seen is shamanic magic, much unlike that once used by his people on their home world. Pats the crossbow and hopes all their fears are not realized.
All three continue deeper into the aerie.
Gathering Hall - Grylra
This is a very large room, actually a little larger than the Great Hall. The walls are decorated in various motifs of majestic gryphons soaring the skies and reigning dominant over their mountain cliffs. There is even one motif that looks newer than the others. It has a rather large black gryphon silhouetted against a large, bright lightning bolt in a nasty storm.
On the east wall two large arches lead to the main hall. An arch on the south wall leads to the workroom, while a narrower to the north one leads to a tunnel that spirals down to the hatchery. A very wide opening leads west, out onto a wide ledge.
Stormdancer lopes down the long spiraling tunnel.
Hatchery - Grylra
This room is full of large nests upon a floor of soft sand. The room is of rather decent size, with one exit leading to the Gathering Hall to the south, and one leading west to the Playroom.
A few nests have eggs already in them. Bits of eggshells litter the floor around a couple of empty nests. Several nests are now occupied by gryphons, tending to newborn gryphlets.
Dove points towards the playroom and tell Mathias, "That way leads to the beach. There is also a ledge above it for fliers to reach from the halls above. This way was for the young who couldn't fly yet."
The hatchery is already in a commotion, an earlier guard having alerted those setting the eggs to what's happening. The hens are enraged, looking much larger than usual, as they busily move their eggs into fleece-lined carry bags. More than one hisses savagely at Mathias.
Mathias keeps a good distance, knowing well how protective mothers can be of their young in any race.
MoonFrost is busy settling her own eggs into carrying satchels, seeing the bright color of Dove. She calls her over to help. Dove waves Mat to follow as she gets over to help Moon. Moon remembers Mathias being a friend of Doves and nods to him, letting him know it's safe to approach.
Stormdancer helps the brooding hens carry their eggs to the beach, wading through the excited, leaping fledglings, who think this is the most fun they've ever had!
MoonFrost keeps Mathias busy enough helping her with her three eggs since her mate is busy with aerie defenses. Stormdancer tells Mathias to go back out to the ledge with is crossbow as soon as he can. He is to report back here immediately if the bugs are seen. Mathias nods, accepting the task of warning the hens here.
Stormdancer assures those who are trying to get things under control that Mathias is to be trusted. Then he turns to Dove. "I think we're going to just be in the way here in a minute. These people know their job. Let's take wing, and see what Aubri's found."
Dove nods and follows her leader through the playroom, out to the protected sandy beach in back of the aerie.
Sandy Beach - Grylra
Bright, clear water splashes into the north end of a wide pool. It's probably at least six meters deep in the middle At the south end is a wall of boulders - the dam that holds back the waters, allowing only a relatively small flow over the top, which continues on down the mountainside. The sand that lines this very wide area is beautiful, very fine-grained and white, littered with bits of gryphon feathers and small drifts of fur.
The mountain rises up steeply to the east, and above you is a wide ledge that a gryphon could fly up to, and below it is a wide archway, from which issues a lot of chirping and shrilling - the Playroom.
Dove follows Storm outside, spreading her wings to take flight as it's the quickest way around the aerie.
The sands are covered with hens and drakes alike, carefully placing eggs and young alike at measured distances from each other, so that each carrier may take wing without danger of striking each other's wings.
Grylra Airspace
You are flying close to the Churnel Mountains. The winds here are good, though occasionally turbulent - good flying, but sometimes challenging.
Along the western part of the mountain range runs the Grael river, mirrored on the eastern side by the Tyber river. Below you can see the long central plateau that is the home to most of the Grylra activity.
The aerie is alive with activity. Even the festival of last year didn't see so much commotion. Several hundred gryphons are already airborne, carrying very little in their claws. One large group of four or five wings all carry drop-spears, and fly above the rest.
Stormdancer shakes his head, and almost laughs. "Skies... you know... if they don't attack, they're all going to kill me, you know."
Dove turns to Storm, saying with a grin, "True, but it's better to be safe than dead." She looks around asking, "So where too next?"
Stormdancer strokes through the air, black wings glistening in the evening light. He circles, and looks westward. A faint glimmer of light can be seen on the ground. "He's had to use the fire. Damn. Let's see what we can do there, then..."
Stormdancer rises higher.
South Western Sky - East of Churnel Mountains
You are gliding above the river Grael, just to the west of the Churnel mountain cluster. The air is warm, and the winds gusty as they whisk across the great grasslands farther to the west. The river swings nearly due southward, eventually meeting up with the Tyber to exit at the south west interface point. Occasional clouds dot the sky here and there, though they are a harmless white, light and puffy, drifting lazily along high above.
Dove looks around, seeing the lights as well. A worried look crosses her face, but she resolutely stays near Stormdancer, trusting in her mate to be safe.
A wing of gryphons, plus several, is soaring across the plains to the west, heading towards the river, apparently. Aubri is not among them... though they're still a long way off, so it's hard to be sure.
Western Sky - Near Faelrah Mountains
Slowly undulating grassland mixed with lazily rolling hills glide by underneath you, a prime hunting ground for many different species of large herbivores. Just to the east is the mountain cluster of Faelrah, which also houses the fortress of Stormwind, intended to protect against invasion from the western interface. The path is also clearly visible, twisting its way among the grasslands, pitted and marked with wheel tracks.
Far to the west, streams of the black insectoids course across the plains, in the direction of Grylra. A bright yellow fire is sweeping slowly across their path, aided by a light southerly breeze. Stormdancer and Dove arrive from the southeast, passing over Aubri's flight.... in search of Aubri, who can be picked out against the setting suns, to the northwest.
Aubri is left alone by his wing who've headed toward the river. He holds only one of the two firepots, the other's location clearly marked by the flames.
Stormdancer stares, horrified. "Great burning skies... look at them all. I hope the fire throws them off.... Let's catch your mate, Dove."
Dove silently follows Storm, not daring to call out to Aubri for fear of distracting him. She nods to Storm, winging after him and her mate.
Stormdancer strokes powerfully through the silent evening skies... so oddly tranquil, compared with what is sure to come. Eventually, as they come close to Aubri, they start to hear the roaring crackle of the distant fire, and the strange, unreal sound of the bugs.... both those on the march, and those dying in the fires.
Dove shudders in her flight, remembering what happened last time she heard sounds like those made by the moving bugs...She growls softly under her breath, the winds carrying the sound away from anyone hearing it. Her eyes narrow as she watches the Krzzn'tai swarm despite the fires.
Aubri wings heavily as if the firepot were a huge weight. He gives Dove a weary look and makes a show of flinging the pot earthward. "Let's get out of here," he says to them as flames erupt underneath them.
Stormdancer nods his approval, though his heart sinks to see the grasses burst into flame. But... better the herds suffer, and hunting be bad for a year or two, than the bugs slaughter everyone.
Stormdancer calls, "How many of them? Any guesses?"
Dove pivots in the air, already heading back home to the aerie to prepare for what's to come. Her eyes flash as her anger at the destruction grows.
Aubri shakes his head and answers dully, "How many stars are there in the sky?"
Aubri brushes Dove's wingtip with his. "No need for you now, I'm afraid..."
Stormdancer hrrrrfs. "Drown and rot in the earth!" he skrees down at the uncaring thousands below. The screams and boiling bursting sounds made by those consumed in fire are small compensation for the destruction they promise. But the roaring grass fire does seem to be confusing a great many of them. At least two of the streams have broken off into a chaotic wander, seemingly completely lost.
Dove turns, startled to hear Aubri's voice. She stares at him silently, her anger apparent in her eyes. At first, it looks like she'll disagree, but she slowly nods to him, winging on quietly and quickly home.
South Western Sky - East of Churnel Mountains
You are gliding above the river Grael, just to the west of the Churnel mountain cluster. The air is warm, and the winds gusty as they whisk across the great grasslands farther to the west. The river swings nearly due southward, eventually meeting up with the Tyber to exit at the south west interface point. Occasional clouds dot the sky here and there, though they are a harmless white, light and puffy, drifting lazily along high above.
Stormdancer bobs his head in agreement. "Better to save your strength, Dove. For individuals, not masses. We may need you more for your heart and mind, than your power. There's going to be panic in some, and we can't let that spread.
Aubri follows slowly, the flames flickering in his eyes as he gazes back over his shoulder. It had to be done, but he feels bad for having been the one to bring this disaster about, on purpose.
The higher-flying guards and scouts sweep over to hear news of what's to come. They can tell by the posture of the three returning flyers that the news isn't good.
Dove nods to Storm after surveying the grounds below. "I will hold out as long as possible....but remember your promise." She folds her wings, diving down towards her obsidian gateposts at the aerie's entrance.
The distant fires glow brightly, yellow ribbons arching up high toward the smoke that billows from the ruined earth... the black clouds illuminated a dull reddish yellow from below, and a deep scarlet from behind, by the sounds.
Base of Grylra Aeries - Churnel Mountains
This long plateau deep in the Churnel mountains runs roughly north/south. Great towering gray rock rises in all directions around you, and the only way out of this valley is by a narrow trail that follows a rocky ledge to the north east. At the western end of this plateau are several dozen cave like openings, probably gryphon aviaries. At the base of the southern mountain, easily reached from the ground, is a large opening into what seems like a large hall.
In a central location, in a broad clear area, are the remains of a huge design in wood, stone, and earth, tens of meters across. In the middle are the remains of what was obviously a huge bonfire. Long cold, the ashes are being carried away by the winds, day by day. Snow hides from the sun, building up in the shadowed places, and along the northern edges of boulders.
To the North, the plateau continues on, rising at a gentle but steady slope. At the base of the western cliff face, a wide, low cavern leads to the common sleeping area. To the southwest, a much larger opening leads to what seems to be a formal gathering area. Enormous stone spires arch upwards, like smooth ebon gate-posts, on either side of the pass leading northeast, downward and away from the plateau.
Aubri lands with a thump and none of his usual flair, just dropping into the dirt after ceasing to fly.
Stormdancer drops down through the soaring hundreds, eyes sweeping the plateau for stragglers or trouble. And he sees it. He folds his wings, snap-rolls onto his back, and drops down like an arrow... re-inverting and slashing his wings out at the last moment, landing in a thunderous roar of wind through feathers, dropping to earth a few meters from Dierdre.
Dove drops quickly, a flashing shaft of white aiming straight for one of the obsidian gateposts. She backwings at the last second, clutching at the top of the one she was headed for. She perches there, surveying the ground one last time, going over possible areas for spires to do the most damage to as many bugs as possible.
Dierdre jumps sharply as Stormdancer dives down on her abruptly... she just sees a shadow and a flash of feathers, she twists, an ear flicking in his direction... She's looking a bit confused, disoriented, but she has her pack on, she's clearly been told something bad is happening...
Aubri pulls himself up with an effort, ordering the guards into position to execute their duties, trying to wear a brave face though his drooping tail betrays him.
Stormdancer says, "Dierdre! Get a crossbow, and load up. The Krrzn'tai are coming. Lots of them, overland. Aubri did good work cutting their numbers, but... it's going to be rough." in common.
Dierdre has, as it happens, her crossbow with her... Although the last time she tried using one on a Krrzn'tai it didn't do a lot of good, "Overland?" She squeaks, "What about the river?" She twists, grabbing her crossbow from its clip and dropping a bolt into place before cocking it...
Stormdancer says, "Yeah, well... that's a good question. A group apparently crossed it earlier. I don't have any idea how. And they re-crossed it, going back toward the interface. There are thousands coming. We'll fight a retreating line, and then take wing, leaving them as little as possible." in common.
It isn't lost on Stormdancer that Dierdre can't take wing.
Dierdre nibbles her lower lip, "Retreat to -where-?" She asks, uncertainly, wondering where to run to but now casting pretty nervous glances westward, although she wonders if their circling down from the north as well...
Mathias steps out from the Great Hall, crossbow also in hand. He climbs the perch Dove pointed him to earlier, waiting for any other orders. The rush of adrenaline and the anticipation of battle is running through him. He absently brushes a hand against the bundle strapped to his back, but brings his hand quickly back to the crossbow, ready.
Stormdancer gape-grins. "You, the human, and those who can't fly, are going to have to go east down the mountain, to the Tyber. I don't think they'll pursue that far... there's just nothing for them to eat, beyond here."
Dierdre nods, "Shkrill territory." She points out in a half whisper, "Where will we move to if we abandon the aerie?"
Dove glides down from her perch, landing near Stormdancer and Dierdre as she asks her question. "No idea, probably Storm's Eye Aerie if the Windhaven will let us. But we're not letting this one go without a fight first."
Stormdancer nods. He can only hope the Shkrill won't take advantage of the situation. Not that they could possibly hope to do much about the entire aerie. "They can claim it all they want. Their land starts at the road, and I'll pound that through Eli's skull yet. If that doesn't hold them.... hrrrf. Some will have to evacuate through the Gate. I can't think what else to do. The rest can stay in flight as long as they can."
Stormdancer says, "I just can't believe the bugs can stay in the sphere for very long. Every single party they've sent forth has gone back within a day, without exception. That we know of." in common.
The healers begin dragging out the wounded, on special carry-beds.
Dove wonders out loud, "Is it possible they can't survive in our air for much longer?"
Dierdre nods her head slowly, "I hope not..." She answers, hands squeezing at the grip of her crossbow, her breathing growing a little fast as she keeps peering nervously about, "I can help carry..." She points out, "Or help with the gryphlets..."
Stormdancer mrhhrrrrs. "Could be. But a day's a long time."
Stormdancer glances at Dierdre. "I don't think you should risk the young. The hens are already ready to kill anything that moves. But your aid carrying the injured would be greatly appreciated."
Aubri hisses harshly. "They might be striking through, then, moving fast to get back within a day or two."
Dierdre grunts, "My harness... it's over at the shed... I can help drag some of them..." She gestures to the north where the ground dwellings are..." She gives Stormdancer a look then breaks into a gallop to fetch it...
Stormdancer looks unhappy at that idea. "I'm not sure what we can do if they are. But your fires dealt them a cruel blow. They slaughtered the Windhaven by the hundreds. I want to make this trip a total loss for them. They're not taking us back to feed their maggots."
Dove gets a wild idea and voices it to Aubri and Storm, "Call me crazy, but the aerie grounds make a good containing area, don't you think?" She's looking around at the steepness of the walls and how many cave entrances there are to block up...
Dierdre comes galloping back at top speed, her hooves thundering against the earth, her ears flick... she feels as though she can already hear the eerie click of the Krrzn'tai, although really it's impossible to hear much of anything over the screeches and flutter of wings of several thousand gryphons mobilizing for battle and flight.
One of the scouts from Aubri's group slips through the chaos, and reports. "Sir, it looks like the fires have distracted a lot of them. But there's still four, maybe five streams approaching. They were within minutes of the river when I broke off."
Stormdancer cocks his head at Dove. "Well... yes.... but... there's a lot of old tunnels and collapsed passages back in there..."
Dove nods, "And I can collapse or block off the rest. Remember what I said about flooding the bastards....? I can't cause geysers to erupt from the ground, but I can dig a channel to redirect the waterfall....right through here. But I'd have to start immediately and I may need some help..." She looks back at Storm, awaiting his decision.
Stormdancer looks around... this is a hard decision to make! "No..." he says at last. "No. If they don't retreat within the day, then we do that. But I don't want this to be mud hole to come back to. If they get across the river, I don't think the waterfall's flow will do much against them."
Dierdre gallops across until she reaches the healers cave, then begins to shrug into a bundle of harness she has, mostly made of various strips of leather which she uses to help out around the aerie, hauling things which are too heavy for gryphons and so on. "I can pull two, I think..."
Aubri sneers and nods at Storm, then Dove... "You're crazy. Don't exhaust yourself."
Dove nods, "I understand. If we had more warning I could have come up with better but...let's do with what we have." She turns to Aubri, saying firmly and very seriously, "I know what I'm doing. I will exhaust myself either way, but if it protects this aerie and all in it, especially you, then it's worth it."
Stormdancer smiles approvingly at Dierdre, and takes a moment to stroke his beak along her equine chest. "You're a fine Grylran," he chiurrs. "Don't hurt yourself doing it, but go. Pull what you can." He pauses, and then says quietly, "If they come, and too fast for you... cut the traces, and run for yourself. I mean it. Better one alive than three dead."
Dierdre has clipped her crossbow back at her side, but leaves it cocked... Her bo-staff is strapped slantwise across her human back for the moment. She works for a moment with the healers, and eventually manages to get two make shift 'sleds' rigged up to her harness, each carrying an injured gryphon. She blushes a little at Storm's compliment, and strokes his beak, she nods... but isn't sure she could actually do it, if it came down to it.
A guard sweeps overhead, skreeee-ing for Stormdancer.
Stormdancer lifts his head, and shrills a reply. The guard sweeps back, lands, and chirps out rapidly, "They're crossing the river! They're dying and drowning and just walking on the backs of the dead!"
Dierdre grunts, "Best be moving... Maybe I'll have time to help with more..." She surges into motion, leaning forward... gryphons aren't that heavy, the burden is just awkward, and she has to be careful not to bump the injured around -too- much. None the less, she makes a fast walking pace across the plateau...
Stormdancer watches the mare go, shaking his head. "She's come a long way. Nearly killed her when we caught her. Now... look at her."
Aubri nuzzles Dove warmly and shakes his head, "We may need you in the retreat... You're our last line too. Save a little, okay?"
Dove nods, also watching the centauress helping the hurt. "That she has. Now we better get ready. I will wait at the top of the gateposts. You'll know when they get close, trust me..." With that, she spreads her wings and takes her post back at the top of one of the obsidian gateposts.
Stormdancer returns his attention to the matter at claw. "Alright... that means they'll be here in minutes. Kill those you can, but don't take too many risks. I want them to leave with as few of us as possible."
Mathias silently waits and watches, crossbow loaded and aimed towards the entrance, ready to fight.
Stormdancer glances to his cave, and takes it on faith that his gryphlet and Altair have gone to safety somewhere.
Dierdre follows a line of other gryphons, burdened as she is, with the injured although moving a fair bit faster as she heads for the river...
There is rising commotion from the west, hidden by the mountain... then hundreds of gryphons boil up from the cliffs, and behind the mountains. Spear droppers make dive after dive at the unseen... and then... they come.