"Raila!" I whirled towards the sound of the familiar, high-pitched frantic voice.

I smiled warmly as Nej approached, "Nej, what would you like? I'm leaving with Kanin and his team for the Silver Mountains soon," I said, readjusting my pack as Nej narrowed her eyes.

"A warning, Raila. I know who you are--who you truly are."

"I don't understand, Nej," I said slowly.

"I felt your bloodline when I shook your hand the first day we met. Don't run from your fate anymore than you already have, Raila, it will only find you sooner."

I frowned. Nej wasn't one to joke like this often, "I still don't understand."

"You don't know?" She suddenly seemed like herself again as her eyes widened in--fear? Shock? She stumbled back a step as she regained her composure, "Just be careful on your mission, alright? Please."

I laughed, trying to hide my nervousness and pulled her into a quick embrace, "I promise. I'll look after your brother as well. Now, since I don't need any medical attention, I think it's time you get back to the medical bay or whatever you rebels call it."

She nodded and gave me one last hesitant smile before turning around and walking back the way she had come.

I gasped and bolted upright, staring at the stone wall of the cave we currently were sleeping in. That same memory had been bothering me for days now. I still had absolutely no idea what Nej had meant, and my bloodline? What did that mean. Thanks, Nej. I left the rebel base with more questions than answers. Though I couldn't entirely blame her, she was just trying to warn me of...something.

I shivered and drew my knees to my chest as the cold howling wind stung my face. Whatever her warning was, I couldn't think about it now. It had been two weeks of trekking through the Silver Mountains and Kanin was still unsure of where the rebels were being held captive. Nikolei had asked all of one time what were we to do if the rebels were all dead by the time we found them. Kanin had glared at him cold enough for Nikolei to think long and hard the next time he opened his mouth. I was too frustrated to pity him. We all were.

I had tried again and again for Kanin to talk to me, but by the eighth day, Kyra had shook her head and simply said "Leave him be." And that was that, though I could have sworn a flash of regret passed over his face whenever he looked at me over the fire while Clane and Kalinier made our sad little meals consisting of dried items. I didn't bother asking what they were.

Stretching, I yawned quietly and made my way outside where a tiny flame had already started, snatching up my blades as I did so. I was quite surprised to find Kyra tending to the flames instead of Clane, since Clane was the one with fire abilities after all.

"Aren't you cold?" I said by way of greeting. It was a fair question; she wasn't even wearing a cloak in this freezing weather. Kyra looked up and laughed lightly as I sat down on the rocks opposite her, balancing my short sword on my knee as I began sharpening it.

Her red hair gleamed in the morning light of dawn and her golden eyes looked like pure gold as they twinkled with amusement, "I have the power to take anyone's form, that includes animals. Imagine me with a layer of fur right now and you'll get why I'm quite warm at the moment."

I snorted and looked up at her, suddenly curious about another matter, "Why is Kanin like this? I know there's a lot at stake here, but still. He was somewhat cheerful when we were in the cell."

Kyra sighed and opened her pack to retrieve our breakfast, "Kanin can be...difficult to understand at times." I snorted. "As captain of this team, many responsibilities befall him. He did not have to worry about them in prison."

"True," I glanced back towards the cave where Kanin and the others' sleeping forms were barely discernible through the constant flurry of wind, "I wonder what Xylin's doing right now? He's an early riser. He's probably bored out of his mind wandering through the tunnels."

"The Prince of Arien is a young, capable man who communicates well with his people. He's probably making friends with the healers right now."

"Hah, that will go well." Kyra didn't return my smile as she handed me our breakfast.

"We train in ten." Was all she said before getting up and dusting herself off.

"Where are you going?" I asked with a raised brow.

She turned to look back at me with a devilish grin that perfectly mirrored a grinning predator, "To go wake the boys."

"Good luck to them." I bit into the dried meat as a growl from Kyra and a yelp from Kalinier sounded.

Clane was the first one to come rushing out. Upon seeing me grinning, he scowled and extinguished the flames that had appeared in his hand, "Good morning," I said, tossing him his breakfast as Kalinier, Kanin, and Nikolei strode out of the cave as well. Kyra trailed behind in the form of a snow leopard. I could have sworn she winked at me.

By the time everyone had seated themselves around the fire, Kyra flicked her finger at me as I followed her to a more private area near the cave.

"Kanin already taught you the basics, yes?" She asked. I nodded and unsheathed both of my swords.

She grinned toothily and unsheathed her preferred weapon. I whistled impressed. Her sword was beautifully and expertly crafted with a smooth ivory handle and a blade with a slight curve on either side, "A Xiphos. From my homeland."

"Arien made?" I guessed.

She smiled, "No. From another continent. This blade was given to me by my father, who served in the army." I noted the slight tremor in her voice. I didn't ask for elaboration as I sank into a fighting stance.

"Go easy on me alright?"

She spun her blade and leveled it in front of her, "There is no such thing as easy in a real fight, Raila."

Apparently that was her way of warning me. I barely had time to block as her blade slammed against mine in a shower of sparks.

The sound of other blades being drawn sounded in the distance, "It's just Kyra and Raila training," was faintly heard from Kanin. I assumed they all calmed down again.

I ground my teeth and forced Kyra back, adding a few defensive strikes to push her back further. Kyra laughed in glee and attacked again.

Dodge. Strike. Parry. Strike.

Again and again until sweat coated me from head to toe. Kyra announced she was finished with a flourish of her blade being slammed back into its sheath, "Good. You fight well for a thief. You use your opponent's strength against them. And you're light on your feet, definitely a thief thing."

"Thanks," I panted.

Kyra gave me a nod, "Kanin has already taught you everything you need to know. Just don't play defense all the time or you and your opponent will die of boredom instead."

"Got it. Thank you, Kyra."

"Work on your offensive." She started to walk away, when all of a sudden she whirled around and shifted mid-leap, landing at my feet as a massive, growling mountain cat. I only had time to blink before my blades flew out of my hands and Kyra was upon me, claws slipping free as she pounced.

I cried out in surprise and reacted on instinct, turning out of reach and drew my dagger. Kyra jumped back and snarled. "Cursed moons! Dammit, Kyra!"

"Work on your offensive!" She barked back, which sounded weird coming from a mouth that was not made for speaking to humans. She charged and pounced again, but I had already guessed her next move.

I rolled out of the way and slashed up in case she decided to pounce again. The wind howled in my ears as a massive paw suddenly slammed into my side, sending me flying through the air.

"Kyra!" Someone shouted in a strangled voice somewhere in the distance, but I didn't hear them. A roaring had filled my head, and by the time I crashed into the snow, I was already up and angry.

A battle cry tore from my mouth as I felt my wings take form behind me, sweeping out to their full length as I looked up with narrowed eyes, snow flying to the sides as the tips of my wings brushed it away.

Kanin and the others had sprinted over, snow and dirt speckling their faces as they stopped beside where Kyra had shifted back to human.

As one, I felt their heartbeats stop, then start. As one, they're breathing suddenly sounded like thunder with my now sharp hearing. As one, they stared at me with gaping mouths.

"Don't ever do that again," I snarled, feeling the air around me turn to my will and thrum with raw power.

Out of all of them, Kanin was the only one who looked the least shocked. Kalinier fell to his knees. Kyra looked at me with newfound respect.

I growled again and let them see everything. Let them see my silver wings flapping against the air, creating miniature flurries.

A gasp sounded from behind them all as a figure materialized from thin air. And there, standing behind Kalinier on his knees was Xylin, who wasn't even at the rebel base at all.

The others mastered their shock long enough to stare at him, then fell into a state of shock again. Xylin stepped forward and ignored them all, "Raila," he whispered hoarsely.

My arkryllian senses flashed in alarm, but I managed to snap my wings back in and approach him. He didn't step back.

But it was Kanin who took me in and said: "They're even more beautiful outside."