Snippet #3417

A warm breeze swept through the trees, making them whisper to one another, sway and dance. Amongst these trees sat a young girl, her slender back pressed against one of the trunks. A single wisp of blonde hair was caught on the breeze and blown in her face. She brushed it away impatiently. Although Aaria was from the Summer race, she had been born blonde. Most believed her to be strange and shunned her from society, but Aaria couldn't have been more Summer if she tried. She was born and bred a Summer child and nothing would change that.

Close by a grey horse grazed happily on the lush grass, glancing up every now and then to set eyes on his mistress, before bowing his head once again to eat. His mistress, whose name was Aaria Maye, was quite content to sit and listen to the breeze, the sound of Storm eating, the stream bubbling and garling and in general, nature itself. Beside her lay a crafted bow, made from her very own hands, a quiver, full of arrows which she had made and sword passed down to her through the ages of her family. She never went anywhere without these three things.

Aaria had always been drawn to this place, ever since she was a child. Her older brother, had often brought her here to play. When he had died, she had continued to spend her time in the woods, out of respect for her older brother. Rein had been just 18 when he was killed by a group of Winter Rebels who had been plundering a local village. Aaria, she was only 11, when she watched her brother shot through the heart with an arrow. Her mother had been devstated by the loss of her child, but Aaria had helped her through it. It left only the two of them to defend themselves and so Aaria found herself drawn to becoming a warrior, in the attempt to protect her mother from any harm.

In the distance, she could hear the buzz of the marketplace and the general noise of the city. It was comforting to her. She belonged here. Opening her dark eyes slowly, she focused on Storm, who had wandered close to the stream. He was snorting in the water and she couldn't help but smile to herself. However, that smile was short lived. The breeze that had swept through before whistled once again, this time a little strong. And with it, a piece of paper floated. Frowning, Aaria rose to her feet. She was fairly tall and extremely slender. Her body held nothing more than a flimsy tunic, cool and light, as it was always quite warm, her belt and thin trousers. In a shack nearby she had hidden her armour, for it was too heavy to carry around when she was not doing any fighting.

Her feet were bare and as she stepped forwards on the grass it was graceful and she didn't make a single sound. It was as though she walked on air. Snatching the paper from the air, she smoothed it out so that she was able to read it. It was a poster, informing all those strong enough to fight that the King of Summer needed help. "And why haven't I been told this before? You left it to now to let me know Rein?" She whispered, her voice had a little edge to it. Sighing, she turned to her companion. "Come Storm. We have places to be. No point hanging around here anymore." She folded the paper carefully and slipped it into her pocket.

Storm looked up from where he was drinking, upon hearing his Mistress' voice. He gave a little snort, tossing his grey mane before trotting over. Aaria smiled, walking to meet him, before burying her face against his nose. He was her one and only friend. When she thought of it like that, it made her quite sad. She rubbed his neck, closing her eyes. Ever since he was a foal and she had saved him from being eaten by wolves, he had stuck by her side and never left her. Storm's mother was killed by a pack of wolves and had it not been for Aaria, he would have been as well. However, she had saved him and now she looked after him.

Sighing, she opened her eyes, going to his side. With ease, she pulled herself onto his broad back, with no saddle, only reins. "Make haste old friend, we have to get to the palace." She told him, nudging his sides with her heels to make him walk forwards. He started at a slow trot, before speeding up to a strong canter. Aaria's blonde hair flew out behind her, her eyes steely and determined.