Kagrada Rollasdotter pulled on the horns of her golden ewe Sky Runner to
make her go higher. The Cloud Ram bounded from cloud to cloud gaining
altitude. The last thing they needed were some sky lizards getting above
them. The sky was overcast and there was the promise of rain, perfect
flying conditions-for the Ram Riders specifically and the Orlanthi defenders
in general. The beseigers of course preferred the sky to be clear and sunny
so that the priests of the Evil Emperor could unleash their sunspears on the
citadel. Kagrada shook her head, the weather systems around Whitewall were
a mess what with the constant dueling for control between the priests in the
opposing forces. She felt sorry for any farmers in the surrounding area.
She smiled and shook her head as saw Mad Ram and Stinky doing somersaults up
the clouds. She herself had never felt brave enough to try somersaults, but
Mad Ram was something else. The man had no fear. Or sense for that matter.
The Ram Riders always echoed his battle cry of "Tea and crumpets!" when
attacking. Not that any of them was sure exactly what a crumpet was. She
caught sight of Ortossi out of the corner of her eye and felt happy at the
sight. It was the smartest thing they'd ever done, allowing the big Orlanth
Thunderous worshipper to join their band. He'd proved invaluable time and
time again. His big sky bull had a weight and authority the smaller cloud
sheep lacked. She still remembered the surprised look that wyvern rider had
on his face when Bonecrusher had dived out of the clouds and crashed into
his red and white painted lizard. He had been in hot pursuit of Mad Ram
when Ortossi and Bonecrusher had knocked him out of the sky. Unfortunately
two of his wing mates had caught the wyvern and its rider before they'd hit
the ground and a patrol had seen the wyvern moving around the camp since
then.
The skies over Whitewall had become increasingly crowded. It was true that
the Sun Priests had abandoned their levitating pretty quickly, none of them
had the stomach for a head butt or a lightning bolt she smirked. She
frowned though when she remembered the surprise they'd gotten when the
wyvern riders arrived. They'd lost some good people and sheep that day.
Besides the wyverns and sky rams there were also wind children, who
unfortunately weren't much help being too lightly armed, though they were
great with kolating spirits, the naked Vanganthi fliers who were somewhat
useful, various storm priests, umbroli, even some Lunar priests using
renegade wind daimons! The wyverns were the worst though. The Ram Riders
only hope against a full flight was if there was lightning. Then the skies
were theirs! All the Lunars had the sense to lie low then and the Ram
Riders revelled in the strafing runs they did of the camps. They probably
didn't kill too many but they sure raised hell while they were doing it!
Probably their crowning glory though was the attack on the moonboat. That
had been glorious. It had been early in the seige and the moonboat had come
in without any escort. The Lunars had learned a hard lesson then! She
squinted off to the northwest. Was that another moonboat coming? Sure was
a big one, if that's what it was. She had a premonition of disaster though
and urged Sky Runner to catch up with Stinky. Time to head for home.
Oliver