Bladesinger

Lightning flashed across the sky, a bright, white-hot line of electricity that gave Andrew a glimpse of the city that sprawled out before him. The crack and boom that followed the static discharge made his entire body rumble, and he rubbed at his jaw, grimacing because the closeness of the thunder had caused his teeth to ache. Behind him, in a long line that snaked around the mountain path, followed hundreds of people, fleeing into the city, leaving behind homes that had been ruined by the storms that had been raging in the land.

Storms not just like the one going on now, but of war. The country was in turmoil, the leadership bickering amongst each other, as always happened. Andy grunted at the thought. Governments were fine and all, to his mindset, but politics, well... politics could be done without.

He knew there wouldn't be much for them in the city. There were few shelters, most already overrun by refugees from the outlying farms. Still, he could at least give them the chance to rest before pressing on, deeper into the country, towards the capital. That was where his home was... or had been, as it were. No longer.

"Sir!" called one of the travelers, turning his attention away from the sprawling city. "Sir, there's a rider coming up the lines. Looks to be a messenger from his lordship!"

Andrew waved a hand in acknowledgement and scanned the horizon, spotting the horse-borne messenger within seconds. It didn't take the lad long to reach him where he stood, waiting.

"My lord Winston Wildblade sends his regards to you, Andrew Shadow, and requests you attend to him as soon as is most convenient for you." Andrew rose one dark eyebrow, clearly waiting for the remainder of the message. The rider flushed and looked down at the back of his horse's head. "Ah... he also wishes to say that your train is welcome to stay in the city's outer areas, but that they must move on the dawn after the storm has quit the area."

The only response given to the rider was a low hmph. They stood in silence for several minutes before the messenger cleared his throat. "Ah, Master Shadow, I am required to take a response back to Lord Wildblade."

Andy sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "Fine," he growled. "Tell his lordship I will attend to him as soon as my people are settled, and not one second sooner. Now go and get out of our path." In an all too obvious dismissal, he turned his back on the rider, facing those closest to him in the lines. "Our good Lord Wildblade has offered us a place to rest until the storm has passed! Relay the news and prepare to move out in fifteen minutes!" He turned to watch the messenger's descent back to the city. "And you, my dear uncle... I will be coming for you soon." Andrew smiled, then, and it seemed to those looking as if even the air shivered at the malice hidden in that smile.