Sephtis soared through the chill night sky He circled over the Aviary, then slowly descended. He shifted once more and landed in human form. He knocked on the door.

"What was that?" Katrina asked startled by the sound.

Astraea frowned at the change of topic but let it go. "I don't know, let me go look."

"I'll come too," Katrina tried to stand, but wobbled and fell back onto the bed.

"K! Stay here! I'll be back in a moment," Astraea snapped.

"What if you need backup?" Katrina inquired.

Astraea rolled her eyes, "I won't."

Sephtis knocked again.

"O-okay," Katrina acquiesced.

Astraea left Katrina to answer the door and found Sephtis standing outside. "No one saw you right?"

Katrina forced herself out of the bed and slowly made her way to the living room, holding the wall so she didn't fall. He eyes widened when she saw Seph and tried to walk faster, but fell against the wall.

"No one saw me." Seph assured, he snapped his attention away from Astraea when he heard a thump "What? Katrina what are you doing?!"

Astraea turned following Seph's gaze and sighed, "K, you're as stubborn as I am. I told you to stay where you were."

Katrina struggled to stand without the wall, "What if the bandits had found us? I needed to make sure you were okay," she grunted.

Astraea and Sephtis rushed to help her.

"Then you and I both would've been dead." Astraea hissed. "You're in no fighting condition and as much as I hate to admit it I'm not nearly there either."

Katrina stared at both of them, "Well at least you wouldn't be alone," she panted. She glanced at Astraea who seemed to be favoring her side, "Well then you shouldn't have opened that door. Also, I don't need help."

Astraea narrowed her eyes and let go of her.

Sephtis looked awkwardly between the two girls.

"Then stand up straight and walk towards me," Astraea demanded moving towards the door.

"Fine," Katrina pulled away from Seph's grip. "Here I go!" She stood up straight and took a step before losing her balance and falling to the floor.

"Katrina!" Sephtis howled.

"I'm fine. That was just a bad step. I can do it!" She grit her teeth. Katrina tried to stand up from the floor, but the pain was too intense and she slumped back.

Astraea looked at her and fussed, "Seph take her hand while I take the other."

Sephtis nodded to Astraea then grabbed Katrina's hand.

"Damn you K," Astraea said jokingly as she took her other hand and helped Katrina up.

Katrina started to stand with their assistance, but suddenly felt weird, "I.. feel.." she fainted.

"Fuck!" Astraea swore, "Damn it why would I tell her to..."

"Katrina!" Sephtis picked her up and carried her to the couch. "It wasn't you," he said glancing at Astraea.

Astraea ran to the kitchen and grabbed some water. She sprinkled it on Katrina's face trying to get her to come to.

"She is stubborn. Sephtis reassured Astraea, "She would've done it at some point."

"Katrina wake up!" Astraea splashed more water on her. "I know Seph."

The cold water ran around Katrina's face causing her eyes to flicker open. She saw Astraea and Seph and smiled in a daze she said, "Hey cuties. I'm tired."

Astraea rolled her eyes and sighed but grinned.

Sephtis slightly blushed, "I think she is okay."

"What is all the commotion in here?" Rowan asked rushing in from outside. He stopped when he saw Katrina lying on the couch. "Is she all right?"

Katrina still dazed looked toward Rowan, "Hey Look it is our friendly dragon man."

Sephtis tried to stifle his laughter "Yeah," he cleared his throat, "Yeah she is fine just a bit out of it and tired."

Astraea chuckled, "Yeah she'll be fine." She sobered up and turned to Sephtis, "So, what did you find?"

"Yes tell us. Did you find any dragon eggs?" Rowan asked eagerly.

Sephtis stood and faced them, "Yes I did and I don't think Rolf knows they are dragon eggs."

"Well that's good at least." Rowan said pleased by this information.

"Indeed. I also found out they are going to attack a caravan tomorrow."

"Perhaps that will give us the opportunity to get the eggs back. Do you know if everyone will be involved with the caravan attack?" Rowan asked.

"From what I have gathered, yes," Sephtis said, "They even have a position for me."

"We should plan on getting to the camp early in the morning. We will stay out of site until the camp empties. When we are sure it's safe we will sneak in and rescue the eggs." Rowan's mind worked through his plan.

"I can head out with them to insure you have enough time to grab the eggs." Sephtis suggested

"That would probably be wise. You don't want to raise suspicions." Rowan agreed

"Indeed," Sephtis nodded, "Now do you have any paper? I can map the camp out so you know where to go."

Rowan went into his room and returned minutes later with a small roll of paper, a quill and an inkpot. "Here Seph," he handed him the supplies.

Astraea frowned, at the idea of Seph being a part of the bandits raid, "Perhaps a map of the kingdom will be good too." She added, "We can know where they mean to strike the caravan"

Sephtis quickly sketched out the camp. "Okay the camp is 10 miles from our current position. The strike will take place near a bridge. I was unable to get the exact location. As for the camp and the dragon eggs. The bandits have them locked in a chest with their other goods. That tent is in the middle left of the camp." He marked a general spot.

"If we leave at sun up, we can be there in roughly three hours. We can wait for them to leave retrieve the eggs and be back before noon." Rowan continued to plan aloud.

"Yes that would work. I will go with the bandits and assist the heist to insure you have enough time." Sephtis looked out the window, "I have to leave soon to insure no suspicion."

"Thank you Seph. Take care of yourself." Rowan said clapping him on the shoulder.

"Of course sir," Sephtis bowed, "Now I must leave." He began walking to the door, but stopped to hug Astraea. He looked at Katrina who has fallen asleep on the couch. He finally made it to the door. "Before leave," he turned and said, "Good luck to you." Then shifted into a raven once more and flew back towards the camp.

Astraea sat near Katrina and sighed, "Who are the people who'll go to retrieve the eggs?"

"Rika and I will go," Rowan said, "Katrina is too injured and needs to be tended to."

"Sounds like a plan Rowan," Rika said standing in her bedroom doorway.

"The rest of you stay here." He said to Astraea.

She frowned but nodded anyway, "Okay."

"It's settled then we leave at dawn." Rowan looked at Rika, "Get some rest."

Astraea murmured under her breath "Yes we do," she stewed, "Take a few weapons just in case," she said to Rowan

"We will," he assured her. Rowan left the house to sleep in the Aviary.

Rika called after him, "Rowan, I'm coming with you, I miss sleeping in the Aviary," she said excitedly.

"Are you sure you want to go with tomorrow?" Rowan asked quietly.

"I can handle myself." Rika said placing her hands on her hips.

Rowan looked into her eyes, "Ok cause these eggs are counting on us if they are to have a chance to hatch."

Rika punched him in the shoulder. "Well duh. We know how take care of our dragons," she laughed.

"Yes but if we fail they will not hatch or worse Rolf will have dragons of his own." Rowan said solemnly.

"True, but we won't fail." Rika asserted.

"I love your confidence." Rowan said realizing that his sister wasn't a little girl anymore.

"Thank you," she said.

"Get some rest sister we have a big day ahead of us." Rowan kissed her on the forehead and lay down to sleep.

~

Sephtis landed afterhis journey from the Aviary and shifted back into his human form. After a quickstretch, he quietly made his way back to his sleeping quarters and awaited themorning.