<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic">The spring has come, and once again <br/>The sun shines in the sky;<br/> So gently smile the heavens, that <br/>It almost makes me cry,<br/>When blossoms droop and die  </span></div><br/><br/>Amber eyes surveyed the sprawling plains far below her from her perch atop a tree.  She had finally reached the edge of the mountains and Kaeden’s camp was visible from here.  It was probably only a few hours flight from here, but she doubted they’d want an unexpected white dragon flying in.  Her bestial form<span style="font-style: italic">could</span>be rather terrifying with how big her head was in that form.  It was probably best to walk the rest of the way and approach on foot.<br/><br/>It had taken her three days to reach this vantage point and would probably take one to two more to reach her destination.  That meant only four days separated the (relatively) peaceful compound she’d grown up in and the emerging warlord Kaeden.  A frown pulled at her lips at this calculation.  It was such a short distance.  Logically, she knew she had skipped most of the travails a standing army would face if they tried to reach the Akiyama compound by flying.  Emotionally, however, it seemed too short a distance.  After all, if she could fly the distance in just a few days, an aerial unit could also reach her home in short order.<br/><br/>The memory of scratched walls and too thin children straining with the weight of first aid kits came unbidden to mind, reminders of why she had left the compound.  Her parents had argued that as a member of the main family, it was her obligation to stay at home to help lead the clan.  However… Amber eyes trailed to look at the empty blue sky above.  It was<span style="font-style: italic">exactly</span>because she was a member of the main family that she had to leave.  Though the clan was still surviving, it wasn’t<span style="font-style: italic">thriving.</span>Too many of the harvests were being destroyed during skirmishes and there just wasn’t enough money to barter for all the repairs that needed to be made.  The eastern tower had never fully recovered from the last assault on it and guard duty on it had now become a type of punishment with how unstable it was.  She closed her eyes and exhaled, trying to rid the thoughts from her mind.<br/><br/>This was supposed to be an adventure!  This was supposed to be the start of a new chapter in her life.  Setsuka versus the world and all that jazz!  Her own audacity elicited a snort of amusement from her.  Should she be surprised her mental cheerleader sounded suspiciously like Alyssia?  Humor still glimmered in her eyes when she finally opened them.  Skulking in a tree wouldn’t get her anywhere.  Getting to her feet, she let go of the tree and plummeted to the ground.<br/><br/><div style="text-align: center;">~~~~~~~~~~~~~</div><br/><br/>Setsuka adjusted her tunic uncomfortably, missing the weight of her battle kimono.  Unfortunately, joining an army meant being one of many and uniforms were part of the package.  Glancing around her, she saw many other nervous faces.  It looked like all of them were new, just like her.  Some were holding weapons, some were stretching, and some were just standing around trying to look nonchalant.  She wondered which group she looked like.<br/><br/>“Two points, Blue!” The shout drew her (and many others’) attention to a penned off area where two people were fighting.  One was dressed in the same blue get-up she wore while the other wore a grey version.  Tilting her head to the person next to her, she asked the obvious question:<br/><br/><span style="color: silver"> “Excuse me, what’s going on?”</span>