"Like a moth to my flame..."
The tall woman had appeared from out of nowhere wielding dual saw-toothed sabres with a dancer's finesse. It was everything he could do to draw his own blade in time to fend off her attack. Yet even as they faced off atop the ridgeline of the academy's dormitories, his eyes trying to peer thru the visor of her wasp-like helm, he could hear the rush of great wings behind him.
"CRACK AND FUME, "
In the next moment, all the young officer had known was pain, all he could see were motes of fire and clouds of choking smoke as something heavy thudded into the back of his skull — attacker unseen. Even as his vision had begun to go black, the tall, lean woman had grabbed him, lifting his form with no more effort than were he a toddler.
"Take his sword but leave his helm and crest," the woman had said, voice soft and inviting, "that shall be proof enough of his capture..."
How much time had passed since then and where was he now?