He raised his hand and a sea of black clouds shielded the gentle light of a waning quarter moon, but the night would not remain pitch black for much longer. A monsterous roar of thunder rattled the ground before the first snap of lightning pelted the earth, instantly melting patches of snow with each continuous strike, lighting up the sky. One way or another those hiding within the woods would be found or lured from their positions. He’d make sure of it.

Meanwhile Sir Jerelk, a knight of nearly equal stature led a black mare alongside his emperor and his horse. And soon as enough towards them came the call of Jerelk’s falcon. Soon it had landed, wrapping it’s large and terrifying talons around the armored soldier’s forearm. The beastly bird chimed in response to the mission he had been sent. Three distinct sounds he had made, alerting Jerelk of which direction to lead his portion of men. 

“West!” He signaled, only to glance back at Cier, giving his leader the go-ahead to press on with a waving gesture.

The emperor then commanded the rest of the soliders to spread out to other sections of the mountain, incase of something like a surprised attack from an any unexpected angle. Though seeing his own force as indefeatable, no chances would be taken this bitter night. The emperor could not afford to sacrifice any of the lives on his side. Already guilt over the lives lost on both lines gnawed away at his soul. Nevertheless, he was counting on them to aid in finding his mastermind just as much as they relied on him for the future of their families and livelihoods. Cier could not let them fall at the hands of those who dare stand in the path of uncovering the truth, no matter how close he unknowingly was. 

The sky was brightened with each string of light that struck the quivering soil and stone below the snow. If it was a game of cat and mouse they wanted, a feral and bloodthirsty feline the dark emperor would be. However there were two lives he would not harm, though he didn’t quite expect to find them here so soon. Not a hair on King Hanequin or his daughter’s head would be harmed. Desperately he was needed someone to take the pain and burden of his powers. And only he could give it to one who has power within them. It wasn’t some thing ever explain to him by the mysterious woman he once met so long ago, but it was an instinctual feeling. Saorise’s eyes may have appeared as normal of orbs as anyone’s but he had seen something lurking behind those windows. An aura of sorts and voice in his mind was calling him towards her. Something he had never experienced yet with every bit of his being he knew very well that she was the one to inherit the gift. And as it seemed so, she was the only person he had met with such potential, besides the son he grieved. He prayed for his entire family and could only hope there was peace on whatever awaited him on the other side. Cier could have felt terrified, and he was, but the memories and certainty of his fate made his heart rattle. This made him nearly combust into flames for he was simply so enraged. For loathing himself more so than the aftermath of his quest. 

Riding up onto a hilltop, Cier locked his jaw against the wind, standing high and looking down upon the fleets sent below before diving into the wood and weaving through the trees. Arrows had  already flown through the night, yet it was a pitiful attempt in his eyes. No such attack would be dragging him down to his grave. At least not so easily.