To Nohr Be Her Glory ( Wip)

Chapter 2 ( reality check)

Jay panted as she lay her forehead to rest on a tree trunk. The country of Nohr rarely had any light. And night was coming fast. Dusk had broken. In just a few hours it would be pitch black. Jay panted squinting at her map looking at map markers for anything to tell her where exactly she was. Becoming panicked she looked around frantically as she heard a distant voice call out.

" You there speak" Jay jumped back drawing her sword quickly. Panting she scanned her surroundings for a figure. Meeting the gaze of the distant silloute she could feel her heart pound through her chest. Yelling Jay stuttered "T-to Nohr.. be her glory!" The silloute  pointed something at her as she heard a footstep. And then a shine of light. As she could now smell smoke. The man was much closer then she expected. He wore a cape and loose garments. Black almost stockings in appearance. He held a fireball in his hand as he nodded at her.

Jay sheathed her sword and sighed in relief . This man was a nohrian mage. She must be close to the fort. She figured. Jay introduced herself. My name is Jay and im have an urgent message for the officer or fort dragon fall. The mage smirked then chuckled. Oh wow that sucks he laughed. Jay stared at him. What was so funny!? The mage whiped  his face looking at her before bursting into laughter again. " Oh new recruits always mess up its priceless. Look your on the opposite side of the outskirt. Fort dragonfall is miles south. Your miles north of Windmire. You are so screwed. " The man was wheezing as he laughed.

Jay held back her tears. I.. I cant fail she stammered. If I do.. ill be .. she turned around and yelled. " Just point the way , I swear I will make it by dawn. I swear. " The man stopped laughing now sounding slightly concerned. " You do know stray faceless still roam these hills. Thats actually why I'm here. Im pretty potent with fire magic. " Jay clenched her fist as she spoke" please I dont need your help just direction... Just point the way. I can make it own my own."

The mage stepped over the her and ruffled her hair. "Aw cmon dont get so grim lets team up ill lead the way. Theres no way you can travel in the dead of night. Ill light the way. " The names Adrian. My assigned task was to kill any stray faceless. The mages summon them for tasks and forget about them sometimes. They lose the spells strength and you wind up with wild faceless. " Adrian chuckled as he rotated the fire ball leading the way. " Killing faceless is easy. They dont have a soul.. so theres nothing to really feel bad about".

Jay followed Adrian her sword in hand just in case any faceless decided to approach them. Trecking over muddy hills seemed endless. Snags and vines painted the ground. Outside thier short field of view was pitch darkness. Jay sighed as they kept walking adrian seemed confident enough she thought. " Um Adrian.. I uh owe you big time ok" she mumbled out.

Adrian glaced back smirking. " Aha this is nothing. I know these woods and hills like the back of my hand " as a kid I used to practice my magic out here. Blowing holes into stumps. Shooting fire into the sky.. " he stopped talking seeming almost somber. " I.. was drafted at about 10. I had a misfire while using a new tome... My mom saved for a year to buy it for me. She always supported my reading and magic practice. It nearly struck a wyvern knight overhead."

Jay glaced into the mans eyes. He almost seemed to tear up. " I uh ... Faced jailtime. At ten. My mother pleaded with the general. He told her since my age was so young and my magic being so strong. That I would be taken in as a forced draft. It was better than jail time . But not much. " Adrian looked up. " I finally saw my mother last week after 10 years. She hugged me so tight It felt better than anything in the world." Adrian shook his head smiling back. " I fight for my family. people walk these hills.  Ill be damned before an innocent person is killed. My duty is to keep these nohrian hill area safe. " Adrian raised his free hand pointing foreward.

Jay followed his finger to see a rather large  fortress. It was in decent repair. Black bricks and walls made it all the more intimating. By legend it was supposed to be built on the remains of a dragon of sorts. Jay couldnt remember the legend well. Adrian walked over to her placing his hand on her shoulder. " Fight for justice and do right.. ok. Dont be afraid to laugh in the face of opposition. Whats the worse that can happen? " The mage had a bright smile.

Jay chuckled nodding ." Well I could die you know" Adrian raised his arms and yelled" "And dont you forget it! "
Adrian walked off in the opposite direction they came from as Jay walked towards the main entrance of the guarded fort. Sighing to herself she reached into her pocket walking inside as she heard a footstep and a voice " Halt, state your business , you have 5 seconds"

Jay stood still and yelled back " Jay of Nohr I bring a message from my new officer  may I pass ?!" Jay watched the opening of the fort unhinge and slowly move opening up. Soldiers with torches walked quickly over to her . A man grabbed her hand firmly but gently shaking it.

The man wore light armor the metal shining in the flames of the torches. " Im sorry grunt but our commander is out at this moment"
Jay stuttered shaking her head distressed. " If i dont get this message to him ... Its my ass . " Jay rubbed her temple frustrated.

The voices around her chuckled as a few friendly embraces welcomed her . Half hugs ruffled hair and brotherly shoves. Another man laughed handing her a loaf of bread. " Eat up you earned it soldier". Jay nodded taking it gnawing into it. It tasted like a stale cracker. However as starved as Jay was.. It was divine. The soldiers ushered her into the keep . Jay never felt so welcomed before . Not in a long time anyway.