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*snip*
The general and his troops begin to move out heading through the large wooden doors. In their ethereal form they merely pass through the structure without need to open the doors. Parast’s shadowy form moving alongside Cyrus, wisps of flame trailing from his spectral form. The general reports that the building seems secure and that it is safe for them to proceed. As they exit the building Cyrus feels a tug at his mind, drawing his attention momentarily back to the symbol carved upon the floor of the temple. To the crack in the floor that now runs as a red streak through the marble, a stark contrast to the pure white stone. Althea’s unease within the building is apparent, an internal desire to vacate the building leaving her tense and edgy. The dragon batters at her defences attempting to make her communicate with him once more. Using the only path he has Thaleron shares his thoughts with Cyrus.
*Taking hold of her hand he sliced into it with the sharp blade, the hilt decorated ornately with the symbol of a dragon.
Blood dripped from the wound onto each of the dragons as he muttered the ancient incantation. As the final one received the newborns blood he placed her within the star upon the ground, completing the ritual, naked and still bloodied from her mother’s womb.
“I invoke the dragons to bond two as one!” his voice thundered around the temple.
“NO!” a woman’s voice.*The images flood Cyrus’s mind, leaving him seeing them from the perspective of that who holds the knife and the infant.
* Large hands roughly, turning the child, examining, searching for something. A malicious smile forming as he finds what he wants.*
Thalerons thoughts recede leaving the images with Cyrus.
The wooden doors swing easily upon their hinges opening up to reveal an expanse of green and light . A large meadow edged with trees is before them, a clear path from the temple across the meadow leading North disappearing from view into the trees that surround them. A rich warm sunlight floods down on the scene before them. Dragonflies hover in large numbers around the meadow darting from the meadow flowers that spring in abundance from the long grass. Bird song is plentiful and fawns and rabbits are nibbling away at the grass around the edges, close to the cover of the tree lines. The scene before them is welcoming and relaxing. A clear path from the temple threads across the meadow leading North, disappearing from view into the thick trees. Throughout the grass can be clearly seen where two large forces have split and gone in separate ways away from the meadow before them. Disappearing into the tree line.One to the West and one to the East.
The army fans out around the glade. The general sending scouts out in a North Easterly direction to ensure a clear route is before them.

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Taking little more notice of their surroundings than quickly but carefully scanning the area for any threats or anything of interest Althea turns to the mare......

*General... I take where we are heading is going to be pretty heavily defended*................

Deep in thought she systematically checks the mare’s bridle and saddle......... re-buckling them all...tightening the cinch.......

*Before we arrive there ........I want your men to be in place.....remain unseen.......at least one if not two of your men to any guards...infact anyone who can raise an alarm.....when we arrive..... at our command you will materialise.....weapons drawn....there should be no need for blood shed......of course....should their be resistance....kill any that do so*...........

Turning to Cyrus a malicious look on her face.........her eyes un-emotional....cold........*We ride up.......... announce who we are and instruct them to materialise..*.......

Grasping the mare’s reins tightly in her fist she pulls herself into the saddle.....adjusting her weapons comfortably as she does so.............

Glancing back at Cyrus .....*Agreed?.....*

{Plot anything of interest in immediate surroundings}

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All she sees is the warmly lit meadow. No threats are apparent. All that is within the meadow is themselves and the animal life. As Althea mounts the horse all colour drains from her face and she falters momentarily as pain rips through her stomach.

Standing by the Mare as Althea leaps into the saddle, Cyrus roughly places hands on her legs to steady her as a pale countenence as ghostly as the army they lead passes across her features.

Once recovered and certain she will not fall, he moves to mount his own steed, running a hand across Parasts` incorporeal flank as he does so she stretches out with unnatural senses, probing for a link with Parast.

Vaulting up into the saddle, Cyrus strokes the stallions neck and patts it heavily, waiting for Althea to compose herself again. To Theos words, he turns and flashes a lopsided grin.

*Agreed* he replies to Althea and then onto Thaleron.

*I pity the fate of those that brought her about, and any that stand in her way....*

Stifling an involuntary groan Althea pauses only briefly before settling into the saddle......

Unfastening her water skin she takes a mouthful before offering it to Cyrus and Theo...once returned she secures it ....
before turning the mare and kicking her on....

*Lets do it then* Urging the mare into a canter she guides her in the indicated direction......

As they leave the meadow a deathly hush falls. No longer can they hear the bird song, no longer can they see the many animals and insects that had been in abundance within the meadow. The trees that appeared dense from the meadow end suddenly opening onto a vast desolate rocky plain. In the distance mountains raise on the horizon. The general guides them in the direction of the mountains. The pleasant warmth they had experienced in the meadow now turns to a blistering heat seemingly rising from the ground as well as from the sky above.

Althea barely acknowledges the sudden change of their surroundings.....

Without a pause she drives the mare forward increasing the pace as the landscape opens out before them........

Cyrus waits for a moment to remove his robe, before charging up again to match Altheas pace and enjoy the lovely climate.....

After a considerable period of hard sweaty riding the mountains raise out of the earth before them. As they approach what at first seems to be nothing more than sheer rocks climbing into the sky an outline becomes apparent to them. Built infront of the rock face is a large an imposing wall. Nestled to one side of the massive structure within the stone and rock is a large wooden gate. Behind the wall hints of further structures can be made out. No movement is apparent. No figures can be seen moving around. No smoke indicates fire’s within. No livestock can be seen outside. For all intense purposes it seems deserted. As they approach the structure the General informs Cyrus and Althea that his men are in position waiting for their orders. The wall secretes a defensive line of hidden guards each wielding bows. The gates being heavily guards also. Within the structure itself there is one main stone built keep. In total the defence of the structure amounts to approximately fifty to sixty heavily armed occupants. It would seem from the activities within the keep that there is at least one person of importance in residence. Currently each guard has two troops assigned to them, weapons ready. Once the order is given they will materialise.

As she draws close to the mountains ......Althea slows the mare’s pace eventually bringing the steed to a standstill a short distance from the gate.......

Remaining in the saddle she unties her waterskin and drinks from it whilst scanning the battlements infront of them.....

Dismounting from the mare she runs her palm down the animals neck quietly thanking her for her surefootedness and speed..........

Grasping the reins in one hand she leads her towards the gate......

“Guess we just go up and knock.......”...a wry grin on her face........

*I got a better idea*

Cyrus replies while still mounted and slowly walking towards the gate.

*General, have one of the troops materialise by this apparent person of importance and annouce our arrival. Demand the gates be thrown open and we be offered courtesy, hospitality and assurances of safety. If he argues, denies or laughs, Warn him once that refusal of this demand will kill every person inside. If he still refuses to comply, Materialise and slaughter all but three high ranking occupants.*

Stopping just out of bow range. Cyrus rolls a smoke and waits, drinking and passing a flask to Althea and Theo.....

The general acknowledges the order. After a short period of time the large gates swing slowly open. From within the stronghold appears a largely built man dressed in black garb with a red sash across one shoulder, he is flanked by two heavily armed guards. He stands just outside of the gates. Althea and Cyrus are aware that flanking this small group are a slightly larger group of ethereal troops currently in ethereal form. In a loud voice barely suppressing fear he addresses them. "Welcome travellers. It is unwise to remain out in such heat for an extended time. Please do enter and enjoy our hospitality." His eyes constantly travelling over Althea, Cyrus and then Theo. A look of nervousness about him. The general reports that he only refused once but that the entire stronghold is now aware of their presense.