<i>Hold for me. You must hold. Please. By the gods hold!</i><br/><br/>The mental chant played in her mind to the beat of the hooves fifteen horses strong. They made good time, leading the way for the small army to follow. Two hundred men was so few to face the hoards that awaited, but these were not simply men. They were the Arnir.  Sacred exiled priests of Palavei riding to battle for the first time in centuries, led by the Oracle Malatia, Song of Fire.  They bare no banner in respect to the exile, but the gold and red of sash and armor was a familiar sight to any.<br/><br/><i>"Release me." </i><br/><br/>It was hard not to surge ahead of the group.  Sheer will power, the substance of what made her the Song of Fire, kept the beast within her at bay until such time she would have it manifest. It was impatient, having seen the same event just as she, time and time again. Her body, much like a vessel now, felt bruised and battered though she'd yet to lift staff or blades to the foe. The enemy could not say the same. Atia and her band approached from the south and each mile brought the calls of the fallen to her mind, tearing at her heart.<br/><br/>"There!"  The voice of a man to her left brought her back from the void of worry.  The horizon was a glow in two places, one more so than the other. Feeling a familiar tug, she turned her mount towards the lesser, slowing her pace and arriving with hesitancy towards the rear tribe that awaited. Even in the low light she could see and feel that familiar hood and aura about the tribe and stopped he group while just making her presence known. It was folly to charge into the presence of those blessed by Dyami carelessly, no matter how strong the bond of friendship. It had been years since she had seen Jak and only knew of his place as chieftain through acquaintances with the temple. The times called for a strict sense of caution,  so she dismounted just as her full army gather behind her some distance back.<br/><br/>"You would approach alone?"<br/><br/>Atia gave Tillien and all of the men and women around her a smooth stare, then smiled kindly as a hint of red and gold ethereal flames danced the outline of her body.  "I never go alone, Tilli."<br/><br/>The grim face cracked a smile at his would be daughter,  "That sass will be the death of us all one day. We will follow at a distance. Brae, stay the men. Olan and Mina with me." The three dismounted and followed Atia closer to the Dyami encampment. The screech alarmed the group and Atia, motioned for them to be at ease, while hiding the tendril of fear the sound invoked.