Thread: An Omen From Above (Greeneyed23 & darkangel76)

The night air was brisk and growing colder as the dual moons rose overhead. Carys Mylin could hear the wind howling through the Calder Mountains as she stood atop the precipice looking down upon what used to be her home, her village, her people. Eire. It had been the only place she'd known until a short time ago when they'd cast her out, acting as if they didn't know her any longer, as if she were a demon spawned from the depths of the netherworld sent to destroy them all. Orrin still felt badly for what he'd done, for giving away Carys' secret as he had. He'd made a promise just as Luke had, to never give her away. It was a bond the three of them had made years ago when they'd been younglings and she, only a young girl coming to realize the gifts Eirys had blessed her with. Yes, gifts. Orrin purred as he stalked up next to Carys, his sleek cat-like body rubbing against her leg. Carys reached down with her free hand while the other held tightly to a staff. She gently brushed the scales on Orrin's back causing the large cat-like creature to let out a low approving growl. He moved closer to the girl, allowing her hand to find his soft, black fur. Just then, behind the two came another low growl. Carys turned her head, her blue eyes immediately connecting with a pair of eyes that seemed to glow in the darkness of the night. An illuminated blue against a deep gray streaked with black. The large wolf-like beast hung back slightly giving Carys and Orrin a nod. Orrin just growled in acknowledgment. Luke, Carys whispered, giving the wolf a warm smile. Luke always stood watch, forever the protector and unspoken guardian. Carys could sometimes sense the tension between him and Orrin and she understood why. But she'd never fault one over the other for their nature just as she knew neither would ever truly hate the other. Besides, the two were forever bound, brothers until the end of time so long as she needed protection. And as she gazed down upon her tiny village at the base of the mountains, she knew she'd be needing them for a long time. Though, she also didn't think she could bear the thought of ever losing one of them. She'd known them almost their whole lives... Snows are coming! Snows are coming! came a screech. To most, the sounds were that of a mere bird of prey. But to Carys' ears, she knew the calls. It was Eleni. She'd met the bird the week before and was so very glad of it. She was old and wise and knew the mountains well and she was never wrong about the weather. Not ever. Luke growled as he moved closer to Carys, walking up to be on her other side. Carys pushed at her dark hair and brought her one hand up and away from Orrin so that she could tug on the hood of her cloak. The air suddenly felt colder, so biting. I fear more than snows are coming, Rys, Luke growled. Orrin snarled in agreement. The wolf is right. I can sense it. Luke let out another sound, almost a bark as he turned his head toward Orrin. The tension was rising between the two and Carys could sense it. But she knew the two were right. Something felt off and she couldn't place it. Run for cover! Eleni suddenly screeched as she flew closer to the three causing Carys to arch a brow. Luke wasted no time and nudge Carys to run. Orrin immediately pounced off, but turned to make sure that he was being followed. When he saw that he was, he resumed his course. There was a cave not too far off so he knew to head there, to lead his charge and friend to the one safe place that was nearby. As they ran, Carys could hear a sound filling the air. It was strange, muffled, loud. Suddenly, she stopped mid-stride, her hands clutching at her staff and turned to see just what it was they were running from. The moment she looked to the sky, she saw fire. Oh by the light of Eirys! Carys screamed. The fire was in the shape of a ball, as if if the sky itself was suddenly falling and shattering into pieces. Don't stop moving! Keep going! Luke chided. He bounded back toward Carys and pushed his body into hers so as to force her to run once more. Fear coursed through Carys' body as she ran, her heart racing as she fled toward the cave she knew Orrin was leading them all toward. She hoped Eleni was all right, though she knew the great bird of prey would be. She'd seen many suns and could easily evade the fire plummeting from the heavens above. Though she knew she wouldn't rest easy until things settled later. Once inside the cave, Carys tucked herself into a ball, her staff and pack on the ground, her hands lost in the mass of dark curls atop her hear. Orrin and Luke surrounded her, doing their best to protect her from whatever it was that was falling from the sky. The moment the fire had made impact, they knew. The ground shook and snow fell from the mountains' peaks. Carys let out a scream of fright, but her companions stayed close and nuzzled her. Finally, the ground went still and both Luke and Orrin backed slowly away from their charge. Carys swallowed hard and smoothed out her white dress. What happened? she asked, blues eyes blinking rapidly. I don't know, Luke snarled. But we should probably find out. It's no longer safe here in these mountains. Your people will come looking for whatever fell and for you. I agree, Orrin growled. We know they want you dead. They will think this is your magic. We cannot stay here. Carys felt tears pricking at her eyes as she nodded. She knew her guardians were right. She reached for her staff and pack and stood up. Pulling her hood up over her head, she let out a heavy sigh and walked outside. In the distance she could see smoke billowing up from where something seemed to have fallen and struck the mountainclearly the fire had gone out, but what had fallen? It barred the way down the Calder Mountains. She'd have to move past it. We'll protect you on the way past. Our lives for yours, Rys, Luke growled. Orrin nodded, Always. Carys gave both a nod as they walked toward her, one on either side. You're right, she said. At that, she began to head toward the site of the billowing smoke.