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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Dec 31, 2016 20:29:52 GMT -4
They found a snug spot in the mangled branches of a dying tree on the edge of the territory and landed carefully, side by side.
"Is here really okay?" one of them asked the other.
"I'm certain. After the assassination, most birds are too scared to go anywhere near the edge of our land," the other responded with a nod. "Anyway, about the experiment. I have been banned from the army's chambers, but you say it is safe?"
"Yes. I would give my life to protect it. We are moving it underground currently, none of Rose-singer's minions are aware of the operation."
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Post by Wolfstar on Dec 31, 2016 20:43:37 GMT -4
Arethusa landed among the leaves, finding quiet chatter from some birds nearby. She listened quietly, moving a bit to get closer while trying to stay hidden among the leaves.
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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Dec 31, 2016 20:50:11 GMT -4
The second bird nodded. "Good, it will be much safer underground. I didn't work so hard on it to see Rose-singer take it into his own talons." He sighed. "Of course, there is but one problem. It isn't finished. Do you think you could sneak me inside so I can tend to it?"
The first bird looked around, then sighed. "I will try my best, but I can't promise anything. Oh! Right. If all else fails, I need to know how to awaken it."
The second one nodded. "Of course. Should anything happen to me, pour this solution into its eye. It doesn't matter which eye. This will encourage it to arise."
They exchanged an item. "Thank you. Is that all, then?"
"Quite. Let us not linger here for much longer. Thank you very much."
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Post by Wolfstar on Dec 31, 2016 21:04:54 GMT -4
Arethusa lowered herself as much as she could to the branch. Thoughts flying through her head as she remembered the conversation between the two birds. It caught her off-guard, and she didn't like it one bit. She knew she'd have to tell her two new 'friends,' if she could call them that, and Rose-singer. As much as the thought of this experiment helping the rebellion, she needed an excuse for being away.
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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Dec 31, 2016 21:07:57 GMT -4
Rose-singer's rounds proved dull and uninteresting, apart from the fact that Arethusa seemed to be absent from the forest entirely. The main areas were, at least. He had circled time and time again and hadn't found a trace of her distinct feathers. Suspicious as he was, he didn't take action. It wasn't wise to act so recklessly.
Kiyasa munched on a bug that had decided to flutter right into her beak. "Stupid bugs," she muttered.
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Post by Wolfstar on Dec 31, 2016 22:18:12 GMT -4
Arethusa flew back once the two birds were gone, her worried expression disappearing and becoming monotonous like usual. She landed on a branch, cleaning her feathers to distract herself for a moment.
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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Dec 31, 2016 22:41:26 GMT -4
Rose-singer's final lap came to an end once he arrived at the old oak he called both his home and his base of operations. He looked at the scratches in the trunk, made by his own talons, and studied them as he thought.
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Post by Wolfstar on Dec 31, 2016 23:03:18 GMT -4
She took off, looking for Kiyasa or Aarne. When she spotted Kiyasa, she dove down and landed. She didn't say anything, aware of the other birds that could hear her.
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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Dec 31, 2016 23:37:42 GMT -4
Kiyasa blinked when Arethusa landed at her side, briefly startled by the larger bird's sudden presence. She recovered shortly afterward and sighed. "High-advisor Arethusa, ma'am," she said in respectful greeting, bobbing her head. Her politeness was just an act for any possible passers-by. She couldn't be acting too casual around someone of Arethusa's rank, it was a vulgar and blatant act of scorn among those loyal to Rose-singer.
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Post by Wolfstar on Dec 31, 2016 23:48:53 GMT -4
"I have some questions for you that I'd like to ask in private," Arethusa asked, turning her head and glaring at a few birds that decided to stop. She turned back to Kiyasa, hoping that her tone sounded a bit urgent. The gazes from the other birds made her talons dig into the ground.
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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Dec 31, 2016 23:55:59 GMT -4
Kiyasa nodded diligently. "Of course, ma'am. Please, lead the way." She held her head low and looked up at Arethusa, wondering what she might want to ask all of a sudden. She got the feeling it was important.
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Post by Wolfstar on Jan 1, 2017 0:08:30 GMT -4
Arethusa took off, flying off into the forest once more. She landed on a branch, hidden by leaves as she waited for her.
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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Jan 1, 2017 0:22:12 GMT -4
Kiyasa trailed along behind her and landed among the leaves. "Okay, I can drop that dumb act now, so what's up, Arethusa?" Her change in tone and demeanour was instantaneous. "Something the matter? You seem worried."
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Post by Wolfstar on Jan 1, 2017 0:42:27 GMT -4
"I listened to two birds a little while ago," Arethusa whispered. "They were talking about an experiment that they were moving underground. One gave the other something that can apparently 'encourage it to arise.' Apparently, no one knows about it except a few birds."
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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Jan 1, 2017 0:50:20 GMT -4
Kiyasa was silent for a long few moments. "An experiment..." She gazed off, thinking. "I've never heard of such a thing, but I think we need to know more. This could be crucial. Did you recognize the two who were discussing this?"
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Post by Wolfstar on Jan 1, 2017 1:14:28 GMT -4
She thought for a moment. "The item that was traded was a solution, so a sage perhaps. I'm not sure, since one said that they were banned from the army's chambers. Someone else may know of this, the hummingbird perhaps. The chance is slim though." Arethusa sighed. "I must go. Rose-singer's going to question where I've been, so I'll give him very little info about this." Her expression went back, taking a deep breath before her eyes narrowed. "I see now, thank you for your corporation," she said out loud. She took off without another word, finding some birds turning their heads away as she passed.
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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Jan 1, 2017 1:27:51 GMT -4
"A sage banned from the barracks? He'd be an ex-medic then. I know most of 'em by name. I'll do some rounds, see what I can dig up. Thanks a bunch. I'm already happy I let you on." She dipped her head.
"Ah! It was my pleasure, ma'am," Kiyasa said, continuing the act. "Thank you!" She waited for Arethusa to take off and then flapped away. She had a lot to do.
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Post by Wolfstar on Jan 1, 2017 1:38:47 GMT -4
Aarne checked his hidden herb stores, putting the withered ones into a pile.
Arethusa flew until she spotted the old oak, looking around, she landed on the branch. "Aurestra Rose-singer," she called out.
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Post by Shadow Sharpfang on Jan 1, 2017 1:48:09 GMT -4
Rose-singer blinked and inclined his head upon hearing someone call out. "If it isn't Arethusa," he said, gliding over to the branch she was perched upon. "Now, where have you been, if I may ask? I've been without an advisor to advise me all day long."
Kiyasa sighed. "Okay, how do you find one tiny hummingbird in a forest this big?" she asked herself as she flew around, banking sharply to avoid any obstacles.
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Post by Wolfstar on Jan 1, 2017 1:58:20 GMT -4
"I'm sorry for my absence, but two birds caught my eye as I was patrolling. They met in secret, and I did my best to listen in. The two talked about something they were working on, and they were trying to finish it. It seems as if some birds are planning for your downfall," Arethusa reported, keeping her wings tucked and her gaze steady.
Once he cleared out the withered herbs, he picked them up and flew out of his nest towards the stream.
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