"You are doing amazingly," Marylyn said in encouragement smiling at her men. "We will be brave and strong. No orc will get past us. When they meet us, they will meet death. Of that I am certain." Marylyn took her place at one of the empty spots and took part in the training. She notched arrows to her bow in quick succession. She would stare down the arrow to her target, keeping control of her breathing until she released the arrow. The arrow was sent speeding through the air to the heart of the target.

_________________

Sirel picked up a bow hesitantly. "It will take me years to get that skilled at archery," she said. She fired a single arrow, and it went sailing into the forest a yard to the right of the target. She grinned wryly. "As you can see, I'm not about to make it into the archery team any time soon." She tipped her head to the side thoughtfully. "But I have to agree that we make a formidable team. Taking into account each person's strengths, orcs would be hard pressed tiger past us."

"You should not doubt yourself Sirel. We have time to hone your skills. You will be a deadly archer by the time I am finished with you." Marylyn fell into step behind Sirel, correcting her stance slightly. "You are too tense. You must relax. Take your time too. It is best to fire a sure shot than a panicked one. It will only miss the target and send you into more panic."

_________________

The elf nodded. She took a deep breath and tried to relax - unfortunately, she wasn't entirely successful. Aiming carefully, she drew back the bowstring slowly and let the arrow fly. This time, she only missed the edge of the round target by half a foot.

Markus lowered his arms to release the tension between his shoulders. He closed his eyes and exhaled deeply as he rolled his shoulders. After a moment of rest he raised his arms again. He notched a bow to his bow. He stared down the arrow to the target which was now quite a distance away. He pulled back on the bowstring and set the arrow loose. It soared through the air miles over the target. He cursed under his breath, notching another arrow to his bow with a sigh. This time he took note of the wind, correcting his aim accordingly. Again he pulled back the bowstring, this time the arrow hit the target, left of the centre.

Marylyn came to stand beside him. "I do not doubt your skill Markus." She glanced at her men, ensuring that they were concentrating wholly on their targets. "I just got you back Markus. I don't want to lose you again." She spoke again in a low whisper. Markus glanced at her, lowering his arms. "What if I lose you?" Marylyn sighed, accepting his argument. "I do not want to fight you on this anymore. Just promise that you'll be careful. Don't go trying to be a hero." She patted her brother on the shoulder before moving along the line. "You are all doing great! Those orcs won't know what hit them. Take a break guys."

_________________

Luna set down her bow and arrows, an idea forming in her mind. Watching to make sure she would not be seen, she slipped silently away. She ran to her lodging, then packed away what little she had. She slung the bag over her shoulder, then left. She was going to go find out exactly what was going on. And she would try to stop it before it reached the others. She didn't have anything to lose of her own, but them? They had much to lose.

She avoided all other elves, slipping through the trees.

Markus turned to find Luna only to find her bow and arrow where she once stood. He looked to Marylyn, his expression quizzical. Marylyn simply shrugged her shoulders. "Perhaps she has went to stretch her legs." She offered as an explanation to her absense. Markus nodded, shrugging his shoulders too.

_________________

She glanced around, then began to run. Her small satchell bounced on her shoulder. She needed to hurry. She had come to around the back of the archery fields. She slowed, slinking behind the trees, making sure no one would see her.

Markus glanced around the field, looking for any sign of Luna returning. She had been gone for some time. He knew his sister was about to call the troop back to train any minute. "Where could she be?" He asked of no one in particular. He was about to turn when he caught the slightest movement behind a tree. Ordinarily he would suspect it had been a bird of some sort. However with everyone preparing for battle, it would be safer to assume it was an orc spy. Markus caught Marylyn's eye and motioned towards the trees.

Marylyn nodded, narrowing her eyes. She drew out her blades and tossed one to Markus, motioning for him to follow her lead. Marylyn moved swiftly, her feet barely touching the ground as she glided to where Markus had pointed.

_________________

Luna cursed under her breath. She had been seen. She quickly and just as swiftly began running, dodging branches and not making any sounds. She would scout for them, and she would try to put an end to the armies of evil before they reached the others.

Marylyn gave chase immediately. "Stop right there!" She yelled. "This is a warning. If I have to ask again i'll shoot!" Marylyn was swift and agile easily dodging the branches the flew past her ears.

_________________

"I won't!" she called before she knew what she was saying. Her heart leapt to her throat as she picked up the pace, reaching up to swing into the branches of the trees as she continued her getaway up there.

Markus came to a stop with surprise. "Luna?" He asked, barely audible. He stared ahead as Luna and Marylyn disappeared into the distance. His eyes widened with fear. "Don't hurt her!" He yelled, giving chase to his sister.

Marylyn hissed under her breath watching the route the figure ahead was taking. Marylyn knew these woods better than anyone. This knowledge was about to play to her advantage. With a swift movement, she threw herself into the trees and glided over the limbs with ease. She soon covered the ground between her and her prey. Soon she was upon the figure. Marylyn dropped to the ground in front of the figure, just in time for them to run into her arms. "What are you doing here?" Marylyn demanded harshly.

_________________

"Let me go!" Luna broke away. "I'm going to help!" she panted heavily, her knees shaking. "I won't give up." she moved to the side, walking past Marylyn.

"Don't be foolish. You will lose your life and what help will you be to us then?" Marylyn grabbed onto her arm. "Now is not the time for risky notions. This needs to be planned. War is coming Luna. You cannot stop it now. There are five thousand orcs about to storm our home. You and you alone cannot stop them." Marylyn looked away, fear predominant in her expression. "If you leave...you go in the opposite direction and run as fast and hard as you can."

_________________

"No. I will not be a coward as my parents were!" a strange blue fire danced in her eyes and crackled at her fingertips. Literal blue flames, tangible. "I intend to do all I can to stop them, and will not run. I have nothing to lose, even dying for this land would be an honor. I have no family, no lover to leave behind. Better me than someone else."