#[Alteo -drabbles-]

[soulsxng]

The blood that was splattered against the trees was bright, and the smell heavy in the air, thanks in part to how humid it currently was in Ahnia. A blade used by many of the realm's soldiers and guardsmen was found embedded in one particularly blood soaked trunk, and by the positioning of it, it was likely that whoever had once been pinned by it had been hit center mass.

"It likely hit an artery, judging by the amount here. Whoever it hit must have pulled themselves free, though we haven't found a body to go with it." Alteo explained, arms crossed over his chest as he watched Jaspern examine the scene. "...That isn't what we thought was odd, though. Rouri noticed that this is an angel's blood, though the concentration of divinity is little to none. There are also no feathers or ash to suggest that this angel had any wings to speak of."

"A fallen, then. One that's still alive, from what I can sense through the blood."

"I was worried you might say that. One of the Aifaen's warriors that faced this fallen angel said that they had been tracking them from the Plains. Someone that initially led the attack, and was giving orders. Nielis was able to share that warrior's experience with several other Aifaen that saw the beginning of the attack, and they all said more or less the same thing. None could clearly remember any features, but the scent was apparently unmistakable enough for them to recognize this person almost immediately."

"And knowing Eli, they were all spoken to separately from one another?"

Alteo nods, following along beside Ahnia's king as he followed the trail of blood to where it eventually ended. Either the injured party had healed themselves, or they ran out of blood. Such a thing would not be fatal to an angel, but would definitely be enough to slow them down.

They had been headed toward the rift connecting Ahnia and the Plains to Vasyri...had they gone through? Or had they used it as cover to escape?

"We're probably dealing with one of their higher ranking members. Most of the others we've seen were different species originating from Wilacri, right? I'll ask JJ to go and talk to Cilatyve, and in the meantime, I want someone brought in to analyze the blood further. If we can use it to track the one we're looking for, it might lead us to wherever the group is hiding out."

"Do you want me to send word to Sivel? See if any of his people saw someone that might have been who we're looking for?"

"Please. Have Rouri do it though, so he can visit his brother while he's waiting for Sivel to talk to his people-- not to mention that the Vasyrus aren't as nervous with him showing up there as they would be with the rest of us. I doubt anyone there will have mentioned it, considering the attack was started by someone else in Vasyri, but...worth a try, at least. And then he can't say we aren't keeping him in the loop."

...And maybe he should start considering talking to Fekik. The Setana usually kept a good distance between themselves and the Vasyrus these days, but having their help could make a big difference.

Ahh, what a mess.