Observe Front A.

Malakae is still soaring through the sky with Queen Catherine II on her back (and a change of clothes at the ready), but it shouldn't be long before they arrive in Tolis. But in the meantime, you have two different groups up here who should have split by now. On the surface, you find Snow who has found herself a silver steed. She rides it away from the city and south towards Avana, but she isn't alone.

There are guards. It isn't a royal army, but she must have found some who don't approve of King Thadius' orders. Mixed in with them are bandits, likely either of Shadow Garden or connected to them in one way or another. There are some mages as well. The Circle of the Unicorn doesn't consist only of the chairmen after all. Next to Snow is one other, however, that shines forth almost like a beacon of light for all others to follow.

The mature, elegant woman's long golden locks flow behind her as the pure white steed she rides races forth. Her white dress wafts back like a body covered in clouds--front half almost like a long apron, tied on the sides to a back half separate, leaving the sides of her body uncovered, with a pair of dark golden panties visible around her bare hips. Tiny pouches adorn a belt which she wears around her waist, and golden bands bind the ends of her long sleeves. Casting off from her back is a cape so translucent it appears mostly as a stream of line behind her. She wears a moon pendant necklace and a circlet in her hair, and around her feet are gorgeous sandals. Just as you remember her, Yaera Tedrilui still appears more like an angel than the one you've actually met. It's like the heavens themselves have sent reinforcements.

She raises a silver staff towards the sky. At the tip is a crescent moon around a bright blue crystal.

Snow grasps the reigns of her horse right as she rides adjacent to the archpriest. "Thank you again for heeding our call, Ms. Tedrilui. Your daughter is safe, but also quite powerful. I'm sorry she couldn't be here now, but she's a part of the most important stage in this plan."

"I trust in my beautiful girl," Yaera replies. "And it is only natural I would come. I long expected there to be a grand battle such as this one, though I admit I did not think it would come so soon. With Avana in danger, we will make haste!"

And little do they realize, but they march rather closely to those beneath them.

Deep underground in Elok Daven's secret subterranean highway, Lynx rides a giant lizard just as swiftly--perhaps moreso. Creatures such as these are built to scurry in this environment, and can even run on walls. Next to her is Rose, who rides with Mina on her lap.

People of all shapes and sizes ride behind them. Shadow Garden runs the underbelly of Tolis, and their connections know no bounds. It won't be long before they reach Avana at this speed, though it's entirely possible they're run into trouble on the way. The fact is, however, that it's beneficial if they do. Unlike how they'd usually be, they purposely make a lot of noise as they go. They want to pull some of Elok's troops far from the rest, which will hopefully open the entrance in Avana completely.

"They best be coming for us," Rose says. "Otherwise I'll be insulted."

"I'll try this." Lynx clears her throat. "Ants suck! Man, ants are sooo dumb! Little copper ball things are lame too!" Her voice echoes down the long, dark hall.

Mina rustles around in her bag while she remains safely nestled between Rose's legs upon the lizard. "Let them come. I'll be ready."

"Well aren't you a brave little mouse today?" Rose jests.