Quildor gazed at the glorious angel before him, white hair glistening and braided, dark winged brows and pale moonlit skin looked silky as a baby's. Everyone around him had actually bowed to the ground, for what reason he couldn't fathom. She wasn't a Goddess, she was indigenous. He knew of her, had seen Ondrea change into her kind in the room more than once. Her silvery wings were folded behind her, and he knew with one powerful swoop she would take to flight.

"My lady." He bowed reverently, comparing her with each and every feature to his lady love, Ondrea Aquaria Taan.

"My name is Kahlest Valdemar, Premiere Harpyiae of The Aerie."

Quildor eyed her speculatively. Was she friend or foe? She hailed from Valdemar, his enemy. Ondrea had fled to Valdemar. Any who abetted her were harboring a fugitive and would be dealt with. He meant to subdue any such rebellion. Valdemar would pay for giving her refuge.

"I am Quildor Etrusia."

"I know who you are." Her voice rang out clearly as she saw many of the closer minions peering at her. She signaled the rest of the Aerie to light nearby, but not too close.

"Is the Aerie here to offer cessation of hostility terms? If so, be it known I will have Ondrea Aquaria Taan returned to me at once. She is a prisoner of war, and she belongs to me."

Kahlest cocked her head at him sharply, like a bird, and Quildor wondered how much of her was avian and how much human. "Will you join me in my tent to discuss this matter in private?"

Kahlest turned completely human, her wings disappearing before his eyes and to the astonished gasps of those closest to them. He allowed her to precede him down the foot path toward the center of camp. 

The Minions were still silent, but several of the Foemen had stood and were peering at this little tableau intently, keeping an eye on the sudden appearance of the giant flock of Harpyiae on the rise above them. Fontayne especially thought of the Harpyiae he had witnessed just days ago fighting to free Rion Etrusia from the whipping post. This one had a more birdlike appearance than the other one had, and was much calmer, less malevolent.

Fontayne walked up the rise, watching the nervous Harpyiae dancing uncomfortably on their talons. "What is your name?" He walked straight to the closest bird woman, noting her restless eyes, following her lady's departure uneasily.

"I am Sibeal Valdemar, Duumvir Harpyiae to the Aerie." Her voice was melodic in an agitated sort of way, he realized she was very young.

"I have no idea what those words mean, Sibeal, but I have met your kind once before. A bird woman tried to free Rion Etrusia. What do you know of that?" He leaned close to a large boulder Sibeal was conveniently keeping between herself and him. 

Even if he kept his distance and appeared to be conversational while awaiting the outcome of their leader's meeting, she didn't trust him, or those around him. He gave her a once over appraisal and she found herself wondering if he found her attractive, knowing Kahlest had been told the Aerie Harpyiae were the most beautiful in the land.

"I asked you a question maiden." He stated calmly but pushed off the boulder to stand cross-armed before her.

"I know nothing of Rion Etrusia." Sibeal answered truthfully.

"And the other Harpyiae?"

"There is no other Aerie that I am aware of. I know only of Ondrea Taan who fled Quildor's Prison."

"This woman had long auburn hair, golden and wild, her skin was pale and frosty, her eyes glowed darkly purple, and her body was supple, smaller than you... smaller than all of you."

Sibeal glanced for affirmation toward the others of the Aerie and was surprised when Fontayne took that lapse as permission to approach her, she immediately flapped her wings at him, causing him to crash in a heap fifteen feet away. "Do not approach me, Foeman!" she screamed in outrage and immediately noticed Kahlest leap out of the tent.

She took to flight as did the rest of the seven of them, suddenly and powerfully. They screeched in bird form, sounds unlike anything anyone had yet heard. The Minions cowered, but Sibeal noted that Fontayne had gotten to his feet casually, arms folded over his massive chest, watching her intently.

"Maiden Sibeal." He said slowly and distinctly. The sound did not come from her ears, but from inside her head. His eyes held hers. "No offense intended. I merely moved to get more comfortable, so I could ask you about your sister Harpyiae. Please accept my apology."

"I would if you were sincere, but you lie, Foeman."

"I never lie, Maiden."

"I know of no auburn haired Harpyiae freeing an Etrusian ever, you are mistaken."

His eyes remained on her, assessing her control. I want her. "Are you spoken for lady?" He changed the subject easily, still watching her every move as she circled higher, out of reach of their arrows should they choose to fire one.

"Spoken for?" She repeated dumbly, blinking eyes that were darkened by confusion. "By a man?" 

He tilted his head at her in silent amused query. "I would speak for your hand when we arrive in Valdemar. What say you? Will an Etrusian Foeman court the lovely Sibeal?"

Her answering screech was evident of her reply and the conversation terminal was immediately broken off. Fontayne laughed and turned around to go back down, no disappointment evident in his walk at all. He knew what she did not, that Quildor's army would break the back of Valdemar and he would be a ruler there whether she liked it or not. 

As he turned he came face to face with the beautiful and commanding Kahlest. She is just as exotic and feral. He inclined his head sharply, unafraid of her or of anyone for that matter. He gave Quildor a short nod and then went to take his place beside Tyce and Marveille. Kahlest stalked on her toes gingerly before him, giving the impression of an arrogant princess as she then unfolded her wings. 

If he hadn't just seen Sibeal and her mates in flight, he'd have been shocked and even more awed, but the sight merely caused a small intake of extra air now. Fontayne refused to be a slave to any surprising emotion. The most surprised he was right now, was that he was so enamored of Sibeal. 

Quildor came to stand on the hillside close to her, as Kahlest swung her hips enticingly, a brave glace over her shoulder. Quildor detached from his Foemen and followed her waiting for an answer from her before they were so rudely interrupted.

Suddenly a screech came from above and out of nowhere talons appeared and before anyone knew what was happening, Kahlest was taking flight and another, viciously malicious Harpyiae was flinging toward them, talons bared and eyes fiery. Quildor took no thought to duck or to run, his natural superiority did not lend to fear, but the Harpyiae came right for him, and raked him across the face and chest with razor sharp claws. He screamed and in seconds the previously stunned Foemen were in action, Fontayne hefted his bow and shot, piercing the raging Harpyiae in the breast, as she fell he loaded another and pointed it directly at Kahlest.

"No!" Sibeal screamed as the arrow went rushing toward her leader. In mid-air she twisted and returned, putting her body between herself and Kahlest, taking the arrow meant for her leader in the heart. Her agonized groan guttered to an audible gurgle as Kahlest caught her limp form in her arms mid-air and pushed her wings hard to ascend.

Fontayne's own horrified cry was heard among the closest Minions and Foemen who were darting here and there to cover their liege and themselves from further attack. The sky seemed to be swarming with enraged Harpyiae.

Kahlest couldn't hold Sibeal's weight and fly; she felt her slipping from her grasp and shook herself in anger. "No! Sibeal! No!" She screamed as the lifeless body escaped her fingers and she halted in mid-air to reach for her. To no avail.

Fontayne grasped the happenings and ran to catch the falling body. His mad dash had him leaping Minions and those running to cover Quildor's fallen form, but he didn't care. The beautiful girl was his only focus. He reached her just in time to cushion her plunge with his own body. Crushing wings wrapped around him, and he heard the crunch and snap of their fragile gossamer as it shredded and tore. As if the arrow had pierced his own heart, he gladly took her weight, wishing fervently as he rolled down the sharp incline below the encampment that was she to die, he might die with her.

The screams of the Aerie were lost on him, but he caught one glimpse of enraged Harpyiae as talons tore the hearts out of minions in a gluttony of feathers and skin. In the midst he saw the Aerie leader coming for him, and rolled once more, rounding up, he reached behind him for bow and arrow and as she bore down on him, let loose what should have been for her in the beginning. This time it met its mark.

******