Casualties of War (Part 3)

[sidhe_faerie]

Title: Casualties of War (Part 3)
Fandom: Ogham Duir (Original)
Characters: Lady Starr, Grim Ranger, Princess Endora, Nolan (Raven)
Author: sidhe_faerie
Rating: PG
Length: 1173
Content notes: 40, Launch, Death and war
Summary: The trio move on to the next battlefield where Lady Starr receives heartbreaking news


Casualties of War (Part 3)
Red Bluffs…
Endora prepared a simple soup and offered a bowl to Starr.

Starr shook her head. “I don’t want any. Thanks.”

“Starr, you have to eat something. We have traveled a long distance and crusts of bread and bits of cheese isn’t enough to sustain you.” Endora held out the bowl to her.

“Listen to her, Starr. Eat something then we will rest for a bit before we move on.” Grim slurped his soup and smiled. “It’s really good.”

Starr took the bowl and the spoon. “I will try but I’m not really that hungry.”

Endora smiled and picked up her bowl. As she ate she watched Starr finish her bowl then lean against the boulder. 

“Is she asleep?” Grim whispered.

Endora nodded. She took the spoon and bowl from beside Starr and rinsed it out with hot water. “We should let her sleep.”

Grim motioned for Endora to follow him away from where Starr was sleeping. They walked a few yards away and looked back to make sure she was still asleep.

“What is it that you don’t want her to know?” Endora asked.

“Nolan said the thunderbirds have made an alliance with the eagles. That adds a third to their forces. They will most likely launch one major battle to finish the phoenix off soon.  At this rate, the phoenix will be defeated by the end of the year.”

“No wonder they are killing the prisoners. They want to wipe them out altogether.” Endora took a breath. “The phoenix should have asked for help from the griffons but they are too stubborn.”

“I don’t think it would have helped. There are even less of them than there are of the phoenix.” Grim looked around. “I’ll keep watch you get some rest too.”

Endora nodded and went back to the fire,

The sun was coming up when Starr opened her eyes. “It’s morning. You shouldn’t have let me sleep like that. We have to get going.”

Endora sat up. “You needed the rest. I’ll make a portal just out of sight of the battlefield. It will be risky but if we come out with weapons drawn, we will have the element of surprise before they can launch an attack.”

“All packed up?” Grim asked as he came from around the bolder.

“Yes.” Endora closed the pack and handed it to him. “We can go as soon as you’re ready, Starr.”

“I’m ready now.” Starr stood up and dusted off her clothes. “Make the portal.”

Endora pulled the crystal from under her tunic and held it out in front of her. She shut her eyes and a portal opened. She put her gloves on and unsheathed her sword before she walked through.

Grim and Starr armed themselves and followed her. When they were all through, the portal closed.

Salt Basin…
“Do you see any one?” Starr asked. “Are you sure this is Salt Basin?”

Endora knelt down and looked at the ground. “There is salt everywhere so I’m pretty sure we are in the right place and I can smell the death from here.”

“The battle must be over for it to smell this bad.” Grim rubbed his nose. He started walking. “Let’s go take a look.”

Endora and Starr followed him over the ridge to the battlefield.

Again as before, there were bodies everywhere. The battle tent for the phoenix was on the other side of the slaughter. The thunderbirds hadn’t even bothered to set up a tent of any kind at this battle.

Grim walked toward the tent and Starr handed Pyros’ ring to Endora.

Endora said the spell again and nothing happened. She looked at Starr. “He wasn’t here.”

“Then they have him.” Starr let out a shaky breath. “The thunderbirds have my husband.” She sank to her knees and sobbed.

Suddenly, the sky went dark and a large bird landed a few feet away from them.

“Are you the woman looking for her husband?” The raven asked. “You’re not a phoenix.”

“No I’m not.” Starr looked up. “Do you know where he is?”

“I might. My name is Nolan. I saw you at the other battle. Your man said you were looking for Lieutenant Pyros.”

“Yes.” Starr stood up. “Do you or don’t you know where he is?”

“That depends. Does this belong to your husband?” Nolan held out an amulet to Starr.

“Yes.” Starr took the amulet. My son and I gave that to him before he left. Where did you find it?”

“I found it while I was tracing the thunderbirds path to their stronghold in the caves at Falling Tears. I found it about five thousand yards from there. I couldn’t get any closer. There are patrols everywhere on the ground and in the skies.” 

“Show me where you found it. Take me to the place where it was.” Starr launched herself at the raven by the shoulders and shook him.

Grim and Endora grabbed Starr and pulled her off Nolan.

“Starr, that isn’t helping.” Endora looked at Grim. “You need to calm down and listen to what he is saying. He couldn’t get any closer. If he can’t, there isn’t a chance we could get into that encampment either.”

“But Pyros…” Starr started to sob again. Endora and Grim let her go and she slumped to her knees. “He has to come home he just has to.”

Grim looked at Nolan. “How far away is this falling tears place.”

“A days walk,I would imagine.” Nolan looked at Starr. “I wish I had better news for you.”

Starr reached up and grabbed Endora’s hand you can make a portal inside the stronghold and we can get to him.

Endora knelt down and shook her head. “We wouldn’t make it more than a few feet and you know it. “Starr, it’s time to go home. Kyo needs his mother and you need to grieve.”

“I won’t grieve until I have proof that he is actually dead. Starr wiped her face and stood up with Endora.

“That may be difficult.” Nolan said. “There are reports that the prisoners have been fed to scavengers. The thunderbirds have no regard for the bodies. Not even their own. They say that they are just a shell and not worth a proper burial.”

Grim glared at the man. That kind of thing would not help Starr in that moment. “Starr, let us take you home now. Endora will make a portal right to Aura’s so you can see Kyo as soon as we get there.”

Starr nodded. “Endora, would you please?”

“Of course.” Endora took out the faerie crystal and created a portal. She and Starr stepped through immediately.

Grim looked at Nolan. “If there is any news we are in Una on Ogham-Duir.”

“The magick isle?” Nolan nodded his head. “That explains why a fae and a shadow walker would be helping a …vampire?”

“Demon vampire.” Grim corrected him. “I better go. Endora can’t hold the portal forever.”

“Safe travels.” Nolan called after Grim as he stepped through the portal.