So whats new, Fenrai?

[Kinether]

Kinether was standing next to a window in 3rd floor of the palace, looking out on city of Nerai.
"Ordinary boring day, huh? What a luck that these from Derai finally left... they always speak too much." he thought... until he saw how the crowd of people in one street quickly running into houses.

"Fenrai is coming, make way for him!" they shouted.
Soon young horseman rode with incredible speed through the street, aiming to the palace.
"So they already figured out that its not good idea to get into Fenrai´s way..." he smiled and turned from the window.


In several moments Fenrai, Kinether´s "eyes" run throught the door, catching breath. He was a messenger, riding through The Plains every several weeks and bringing Kinether fresh news.
"Sir! Ive returned, sir!"
"Leave out that sir, Fenrai..."
"Yes, sir!"

Kinether let out silent sight.
So whats new in The Plains, Fenrai?

Young rider thought for a while.
"Well, si-... Nioris village declared war on Iwu...
For Paerai´s sake, why again? Weren´they in war one month back?
"No, sir. That was when Iwu declared war on Nioris, because of their chief said that Iwu´s chief is old donkey with no brain."
"And what is it this time?"
"Iwu´s chickens were grazing in front of Nioris´ gates and left something there..."
What else, except grazing-on-bad-side chickens...
Sure. Niu village is almost no more, everyone moved into-
...Quoa, eh?
"Yes. And by the way, Puaxis are thinking about moving there too..."
So Quoa is becoming stronger and stronger...

Messenger scratched on head.
"And Flaion docks were attacked again. By Gotar... theyre asking us for help."
"Gotar again? And again destroyed that half-built ship, right?" Kinether looked out from window.
"Precisely. And also they are asking for wood... from Quoa."
"Allright then. Send 500 niru-men to guard their docks and tell Quoa to send them wood for that boats..."
"Quoa asked for iron in return, sir."
"Then... the merchants from Urgor are arriving in week, right? Give them that little we got left. Solved. Anything more, Fenrai?"
"Yes, sir. Golran is asking for you to pay him."
"What?"
"That barber."
"I paid him already!
"He says you havent.

Kinether hid face in his palm. "Okay. Thanks, Fenrai."

With that the young messenger left the room.

[Kinether]

Kinether waited in the 1st floor of the palace. The guards told him that a man from Flaion carrying an important message came last night...

He was already getting annoyed from the waiting when a figure half-bandaged by leather came in. He was leaning against a wooden stick, certainly making steps with difficulties.

"Oh my... they havent tell me that-"

"Sir, Im here to tell you about what happened in Flaion..." the soldier took his place on chair.

"Nothing good, I see. Ive heard youre the only... one who survived the massacre." Kinether looked out from the window. He was thinking about who could do that... and he got a suspicion.

"We were doing as you said, defending the docks and the town... and then we heard the horns of Gotar soldiers."

"Was there someone helping them?" he knew that Gotar riders wouldnt stand much chance against elite guards from Nerai.

"Well... first thing weve noticed... part of them got iron weapons." the soldier coughed into his hand, leaving a taint of blood in his palm "sorry sir, but..."

"Its ok. So... Urgor is spreading its tentacles."

"This wanst the worst, sir. We stood on our positions, when the shades flew down from the sky... it were riders on some strange animals wearing iron claws as the weapons, like something between-"

"Griffins, right!" he turned impulsively to him.

"I guess someones call them so, sir."

"Thats enough. Enough for our so-named-ally! Thank you, soldier." He called the guards to help the rider walk out the palace.