Sylvania

A black crow screams its blood curdling caw and it shears through the sky. I flies a foot over a sea of dark and thick trees, alternating forcing itself forward with its wings and soaring, black feathers flake off its ragged wings. It dives through the trees toward a large camp marking its center with a massive bon-fire. Drunken men wave their weapons and drink, cheering and dancing around the flames. Sitting upon a throne adorned with skulls was their leader. The fire casting sinister shadows across her face. She sat with her cheek resting up on her curled fist, and her legs stretched out. She wasn't enojoying the festivites with her men, she just watched as they laughed and sloshed their drinks around. They just returned from a raid on a surrounding town that had defaulted on its "protection payment."
She looked up, reaching out her arm to allow the crow to dig its razer sharp claws into the leather bracer she had fitted for him.
"Welcome back Aro, what do you have for me there," she cooed to the crow. She removed the paper tied to it's leg and unrolled it. She scanned it, and as she did a devious grin formed on her lips. It was a summons from her old friend Lucian. She tossed the paper aside and stood strolling towards her second in command.
"I'm leaving," she said mounting her black horse. He handed her her weapons, "Make sure they stay in line." She kicked her heels into the strong animal and it lurched forward as she raced to the meeting place.
Lucian, I'm coming...
The black crow followed behind, flying a foot above the treeline...black feathers flaking off its ragged wings.