Squinting down at the tattered paper in her hand, Tayr sighed before sliding it back into her pocket. All the rough map told her was that the farm lay just between the forest and the mountains which was where she was, on a road no less, so she didn't really need it any more. Just as well, since it wasn't like she could see it right now anyway. The light was fading rapidly from the sky, and it was looking like she'd have to stop soon. Annoying, considering how close she probably was. She'd already used up almost all her leave for the year trying to find this man, and there'd been an increasing sense of urgency as she searched.
No. She had to see him tonight. It was unclear how much danger they were in, if they were indeed in any at all. She'd not been attacked on the way, but she had almost been in a couple of nasty accidents that she wasn't completely willing to write off as random chance, not given what she knew. Also in her pocket was another scruffy piece of parchment, bearing a list of names. She remembered every one of them, and they all had two things in common: she'd fought alongside them, and they were dead. But they hadn't died in battle like soldiers should, nor had they succumbed to disease. Every one of them had gone down in some bizarre coincidence, some trick of nature. Oh, they didn't look like murder, not individually, but all together like that, with all of them there...
Except two names were missing. Her and her captain from many years ago, the only remaining members of that squad. The first had just been some sad news told to her by an old friend, the second was a strange rumour, and after that they began to fall like rain and she knew she had to warn him. So she walked on, sturdy boots crunching on the road and glaive held proudly against her shoulder. She'd march all night if she had to, but fate was kind and soon the long grass gave way to golden wheat and she knew she was almost there. A barn followed not too long after, with a little house beside it, and she halted suddenly a hundred or so yards away. Her eyes had never been the best, but she could still make out what looked like a person by the door. Although the quiet around the house was peaceful rather than the sort that bore a nasty surprise, it was still worth taking care. "'Ello?" she called, her loud, clear voice ringing through the evening air. "Gabor?"
She shook her head slightly. He may not have been an officer any more, but he still deserved, and had, her respect. "Sir?"