The Sylfen commander stared at the beautifully preserved, frost-encased flower for a long, silent moment, her piercing silver eyes reflecting the pale blue light of Kai's highly controlled magic.
She slowly lowered her curved wooden short-swords, sliding the lethal blades back into the woven vine sheaths resting against her hips, and she raised her slender hand to signal the hidden rangers hiding in the dense foliage above them.
The terrifying, synchronized tension of a thousand drawn bowstrings instantly vanished from the air as the Sylfen archers relaxed their weapons, though they did not abandon their high vantage points among the massive branches.
"I am Lyra, Warden of the Lower Roots," the commander introduced herself, her melodic voice losing its sharp hostility while still maintaining a heavy, cautious edge.
