The attack had come swiftly and unexpectedly, but Gaia reacted quickly. She shoved the princess behind her and stepped forward to meet the attackers. Her sword was a mere blur. Each parry became a thrust and each thrust found another attacker on the ground, dead or dying. Though heavily outnumbered, the assailants were soon routed. It was then, as she turned her head to check the safety of her charge, that an arrow whistled through the air and struck home. Gaia sank slowly to the ground. The princess rushed to her side, dropping to her knees. Gaia smiled at the young girl. "Do not weep for me, little one. Life leads to death and death leads to life. It is a cycle. It is the way of Nature. Do not mourn, but rejoice for me. For this has been my finest hour." A satisfied smile touched her lips. Her head lolled to the side as her life slowly ebbed away. Victoria 3 and Mil Girl (DAZ 3D) V3 Warrioress by Nikitacreed (RDNA) V3 Amazon Outfit by Xurge (RDNA) Wild and Messy Hair (DAZ 3D) Tuesday's Rogue - Earth by Tuesday (RMP) Blades Vol 1, Chloe Hair, Volumetric Field Figure, MicroCosm, and Old Wood Singles by Traveller (RDNA) Skydome by Traveller (RDNA Free Stuff) Rock by judith (RDNA Free Stuff)