Ten years later:

Asena Moss took a deep breath, savoring the crisp air that filled her lungs. These moments were few and far between. Time to herself to feel the wind whistle through her feathers and hair was rare. Asena was always doing something.

She wanted to spread her wings as far as they could go and feel the wind blow against each individual feather. But this outing wasn't about feeling the air and wind she loved so much. Turning her face away from the sky, Asena looked down to the clearing, at the flurry of activity there.

Men and women were moving rapidly, breaking down tents and packing up various belongings. It wasn't an unusual sight and normally they wouldn't bother watching a caravan, but the items that some of the people were packing weren't the normal pots and pans, but guns and munitions. Asena counted who had arms, how many weapons, and the type of each.

When all was packed up, and gone, Asena let out the sweet call of a dove, her signal. The call of a blue jay and a cardinal answered her own call. Asena slipped from her spot in the tree where she'd been nestled for the past few hours.

Her legs ached as she shimmied down the branches and trunks. There wasn't enough room for her to spread all nine feet of her wings out the whole way, but they too had been cramped. Asena made do and stretched out her gray wings as far as the trees would allow, her muscles burning just as those in her legs had.

Moments later, two people appeared in front of her: a red haired, red-wing girl and a dark haired blue-winged boy. The girl, Rhosyn. The boy, Elizeus.

"Ready?" Asked Rhosyn as she stretched out her own russet colored wings and Asena had to stifle the laugh that bubbled in her throat as one of her friend's rosy wings whacked Elizeus--their squad leader and sort-of-friend--right on his nose. He gave her a glare but said nothing.

Asena stretched her arms out. "You couldn't imagine how completely ready I am."

As per usual, Elizeus said nothing, content in his silence. The trio began to walk through the thick forest, not daring to take flight yet. One could never be too careful when leaving a surveillance spot, just in case of any stragglers or a trailing party.

After perhaps a mile or so, the group rounded on a tree. Rhosyn reached into one of the holes near the bottom, hidden by swaying grass, and pulled out a basket of mushrooms, another basket of berries and a bucket of water. They had planted these earlier that day, so that if anyone saw them coming or going the trio would have a reason for being in the woods. Elizeus took up the heavy water bucket; Rhosyn the berries; Asena the mushrooms. Now they were nothing more than members of a caravan bringing home supplies.

Two more miles of walking and they'd exited the forest. Elizeus sat down the bucket to stretch his arms. "How many?" The deep rumble of his voice broke through the quiet of the wood they'd just vacated. They were currently in the farthest western section of the Gerdan forest, a day or two's journey from Lake Croapor.

"Thirty seven mushrooms." People. "A hundred seventy eight berries." Weapons. Replied Rhosyn, voice quick and sharp.

Elizeus turned to Asena, for her to confirm Rhosyn's numbers. He was the leader of this mission and of them. He would report their findings and ultimately, he was responsible for any miscounts. "Thirty seven and one seventy eight." Asena confirmed.

All Elizeus did was nod his head--he must have gotten the same numbers, then--and pick up his bucket. Elizeus shot up into the air without another word, leaving the two girls to hastily follow.

"That's because you hit him." Asena remarked breathlessly as she tried to catch up to the annoyingly fast flying squad leader.

"Shut up." Rhosyn huffed.