A cool breeze swept through the castle of Ravendore. In the high elf bathing chambers stood the Queen, Vera, and her daughter, Princess Aleia. Their maids stood silently, holding towels for the two bathing royals. They were in thigh deep water and the mother stood behind her child, rubbing her shoulders. 

"I am so proud of you my sweet. So beautiful you are. Your ebony hair like raven wings." Vera mused, running slim fingers down her daughter's arms, then her waist. Aleia stood quietly as her mother fawned over her. A small bell chimed and two elven maids poured warm water over the heads of their mistresses. "Are you ready, my dear child?" Vera asked.

"Yes mother." Aleia said softly.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

An hour later they were in the air, inside a carriage carried by ravens so big that even the largest of war horses were put to shame. They flew with twenty of so giant ravens, each mounted by a knight of the royal guard. They landed before the Sonrah estate and the giant birds dissipated into smaller ones that flew up so high they were nothing more than small black dots.

The queen and princess exited their carriage and were escorted inside, their troop surrounding them.