The city of Vanskar had fallen to the Ashurian forces faster than expected, and Lauren had barely made it out in time. With all due haste she sped to the rendezvous point in case the order to retreat was given, which went out just before she had left the Tower. She hoped that the Courier would be there, as she had an important message to pass on and would need to disappear before the Ashurian military began to look for her.

She entered the forest, rushing past the brook, her hooves splashing as she trotted through it's width, coming to a group of trees and a large marked stone, where her ears raised carefully. They caught every sound, suggesting for the moment that all was quiet. Pursuit was unlikely for at least a few hours, the enemy would be occupied with the spoils of their victory before they were combing the woods for any high priority targets. She leaned against the tree, breathing heavily.

Suddenly, spotting movement out of the corner of her eye, she spotted the courier hanging from a tree by her tail, dropping down to the ground with practiced grace.

"You scare the crap out of me when you do that," Lauren said.

"Under the circumstances I thought it prudent I not be on the ground, just in case you were being followed." Clemikou approached, her Courier's uniform showing signs of wear. Likely she had been in the tree for some hours. The kinkajou held in her left hand a lightning crystal, for defense, but carried no other items. Sensible, since she would need to travel light.

Lauren handed her a data crystal. "These are the final orders issued to our remaining military forces. Take them to Colonel Hunter in the mountains and General Hastings in command of the Second Fleet, and anyone else you can reach before we run out of time. We've lost the war, but we might not lose everything if we act soon."

"How did it happen? The final battle, I mean," Clemikou said, her curiosity obvious.

"It doesn't matter. What's important is that these orders get out. See that they get where they need to go." The two women embraced for a brief moment before a rustling and the sound of a group of soldiers boots could be heard, getting closer with every second.

Electricity sparked from Clemi's crystal, while Lauren shook her head. "You go, I'll buy you the time."

"What about you?"

"I'll make it, you just get those orders to safety and let me do what I need to do." Lauren took cover, allowing herself one final glance at the Courier before she went off in search of General Hastings and others. The soldiers would be almost on her in seconds. She formed a ball of water in her right hand, her hooves digging into the dirt.

Clemikou is  clemikou
Art by  wintersnowolf and  rainartsink