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A day and a half ago



Jax had had just about enough of Eowyn. The blistering heat and the infernal sand that got everywhere was driving the Gaili dovaa mad. She hated coming down to the other continents, there wasn't anything of interest on them but dragons and she wasn't even allowed to wrestle those anymore.

The cost of growing up and being taken seriously had been an expectation that Jax behave as an adult did. Which meant hunting dragons as cleanly and efficiently as possible as opposed to wrestling and punching them into submission like some sort of brute. Well technically Jax could go back to her old ways but that would mean giving up her position as one of Marcus' official guards and she rather liked the job she had earned.

At the moment though she just wanted her current assignment over with. Tracking down the mysterious hybrid girl who'd been kidnapped by and then fought the being they'd come to know as Alpha had not been fun. Jax had nothing against hybrids but did the girl really have to live here of all places!? Not to mention that she'd not been at her place of residence when they'd finally found it.

" Do all dovaa complain as much as you?" Callix asked as he tried to drown out his companion's grumblings. The orderite male's tone was cool and condescending. Honestly the Dovaa woman was wearing practically nothing at all and he was trudging through a desert in robes but she was the one complaining. It had been nothing but suffering, tolerating Jax for the past few days as they searched for their target.

He only hoped it was truly worth it, and that the girl would see things Aevah's way.

Glaring at each other the pair entered the oasis and made a line straight for the figures they spotted in the distance.



Jax gave a small smile at the question and stomped a foot into the ground in response.Instantly a wall of sand stone jutted up from the ground. "I circled the first batch in stone and no one else challenged me." Did this girl know how hard it was to make circular stone walls, on the fly, without obvious weak points or cracks? Jax doubted it and that was a pity.

Callix was unmoved by the display and merely moved to nod his head in respect slightly towards the hybrid girl. "Your presence is required at an important event." Pale eyes watched Erionda carefully occasionally straying to her drakein as if unsure of them.





" Mistress Aevah and," here Callix paused for just a moment to adjust his robes and sigh. "Marcus Ysaride have some important news to share with their people. Miss Erionda.." Callix hoped he was pronouncing this correctly, "is an important aspect of this. She is to be a guest, as are you and your younger companion." Did Drakein get seasick? Did this girl? Callix wondered if things were going to get worse after they convinced the trio to come instead of better.

"Oh and Draco Verrano will be there but he doesn't want to talk to you," Jax added with a roll of her dark eyes. Sure the girl wasn't one of his but she was still worthy of recognition. " We're not allowed to fight you," Jax noted with a little bit of sadness tinging her voice. Although nothing about the large muscular woman's posture indicated any sort of real malice or ill intentions. " You have to come willingly or they will come get you themselves." Given how much effort this Erionda girl put into hiding Jax doubted she wanted the two leaders and their necessary entourages traipsing all over the place around her home.



Jax grinned as it became apparent that Erionda was going to come willingly. As the girl moved closer she offered a friendly nod of her head and began to introduce herself and Callix.

It would only take about half a days walk at a brisk pace for the group to reach the outpost the two guards had left swifter transportation at and from there they would head to the coast, then out to sea.

Kilian
Kilian had decided to go into town that day as Erionda had opted for the Oasis. It was hard for him to part ways with her still. He wanted so badly to keep her by his side but knew that it would smother her. He let out a sigh as his hand ran over Amadia's head and horns. The feel of his bonded under his hand and in his mind seemed to calm the Oblivionite. He shifted the pack full of supplies from one arm to the other. The wounds from the dragon bite had begun to heal wonderfully, thanks to Erionda, but there was still a bit of pain if he used it for too long.

Kilian's feet drug through the sand and he wished for nothing but to drink some nice cold water and see Erionda. Finally, Erionda's house came into view and he let out a relieved sigh. As he stepped into the house, he fully expected her to be at the table, waiting for him. His eyebrows rose as he took in the empty room. "Rio!" He called as Amadia sniffed the air and sent out a small growl. Someone's been here. She said through their bond.

Kilian's gaze shot down to his drakein and he frowned. Who had been in Erionda's house while they'd been around? He quickly checked all the rooms on the first floor, calling her name out as he went. Worry began to gnaw on him. He sat down at the table and held his head in his hands. Where could she have gone? His sockets opened slightly as the rustle of paper came to him. Sitting on the table was a letter. He reached out and snatched it up before the stray winds could blow it away. Had she left him a note?

Confused, Kilian quickly opened it and read it. After finishing the letter he laid it back down. He was even more confused now. What could they possibly want with everyone? Had Rio gotten a letter like this and left without him? Would she have done that? His fist clenched as he wadded up the letter and sat back in the chair. But what if she hadn't left? What if she was just at the Oasis still?



Araceli
Araceli had been busy getting back into her studies and going on dragon hunts since the fight against Beta. She sighed as she drug herself into her home after a hard day's work. Her parents were sitting at the table, something that wasn't too common of a sight at this time of day. They were usually out back, enjoying the good weather. "What's going on?"

Fear coursed through her as many possibilities ran through her head. Were they being called out to aid in healing for another battle? Was she going to be required to go? Were they in trouble for what had happened in the tunnels? Was someone hurt? Her parents looked over at her, a bit startled to see that their daughter had already arrived home. "Here." Niyol said as she handed the piece of paper they had both been reading to her daugher.

"What's this?" Ara asked as she took the paper from her mom and began to read it. Her eyes widened at the contents. They were being summoned? Again? Though it didn't seem that it was for a battle this time. She stared at the signatures of each of the race leaders. "Are we...going?" Ara asked as she looked up from the paper and to her parents.

"We didn't do much but heal a few magescians, Ara." Rhett said as he stood up from the table. "But you. You helped fight back one of the beasts. So if you'd like to go, we can." Ara looked back down at the letter in her hand and pondered. She really was curious about what this was all about. She had made her choice, they would go.

"I'd like to go, if that was alright with you guys?" Ara asked as she looked between her parents. "You too?" She asked hopefully. With a nod from both her mom and her dad Ara beamed. They quickly gathered what little supplise they'd need and made their ways tot he docks to load up onto a boat to take them where they needed to go.

As per usual with him Junjie was pretty oblivious to the happenings in the world around him. He and Tilawen, along with Abellio, had left the same night that the horrific lab had occurred, not planning on going back, certain that things weren't going to be all that friendly in that area. With his Keindred at his side he'd vanished back into the sandy depths of Eowyn to resume his training even if a part of him had wanted to run home. He wouldn't allow himself to be weak, not to mention he didn't want such trouble following him home where it might harm his mother. Instead he figured it best that he just go back to what it was that had sent him to the sandy continent to begin with, that being the training that the sage said that he needed. He and Abellio were working on just that, several long days and nights of it, when they found themselves with a rather unexpected visitor, his teacher.

The two of them had chatted, a letter was handed over to Junjie, and he found himself with the task of deciding on whether or not he wanted to follow the instructions therein. Truth he told he really didn't, it was probably best if he stayed away from there, if he went he was sure that Tilawen would knock himself senseless for doing something so dangerous. The last thing he wanted to do was to rile up his fiery friend after all but in the end the sage convinced him that it was for the best. He didn't want to be completely out of the loop after all, best to know what the three leaders were up to after all, and it wasn't as though Junjie hadn't become fairly decent at pretending to be something he wasn't. Go as a Dovaa, see what was up, then leave if there were any hints of danger it was suggested to him. While he was still a little leery about the idea he agreed, provided that the sage went to go and check up on his mother for him. It was something that the man seemed a little bent out of shape over having to do but finally agreed to it. Junjie had no idea what the relationship between the pair were but he did know it was a strained one at best. Still, who else could he ask to do such a thing?

It was after the two of them parted ways, Junjie and Abellio heading for the sight mentioned in the letter while the sage headed for Serenia where his mother was located. It took less time to find the spot that everyone was gathering then he would like, he had hoped to be further away from any outsiders during his training, having wanted to just let loose. Next time he would need to be more careful he decided. After making sure that his wings were faded away, nothing more then the tattoo like markings on his back at the moment, and that his cloak was in place, the 'Dovaa' walked forward to take his place at the back edge of the crowd. He didn't want to get any closer, didn't want to change getting caught up in the crowd. He'd just wait, watch, and once he figured out what the meaning behind the letter was he would leave. He'd agreed to learn what was going on, he never agreed to stick around, "Things seem too tense for my liking." He said to Abellio through their bond, finding it interesting that all manner of people were here, from all of the factions Drakein included, but that didn't put him anymore at ease. It did pique his curiosity though, something he tried to get under control because he needed to concentrate.

Abellio looked up at him for a moment before plopping down, starring at the crowd from the hood he was wearing, tail lashing from side to side. His bonded said that it was too tense, a comment that made Abellio tense too, "Let's leave soon." He finally said, all for doing so sooner then later, not sure what was going on, not in the least bit, but if it made Junjie uncomfortable then it must be bad, right? This was Junjie after all who faced off against all manner of dragons while protecting Abellio. If Junjie was worried then it wasn't something they wanted to do for all that long.

Lanzecki pouted as he finally reached the house. He didn't like the fact he had been left behind. Instructed to go home. He wasn't that small! Or that weak! His tail smacked the sandy ground with each thought. How dare she leave him. He was her most dependable Drakein! Even if he wasn't full grown. Reaching the sanctuary Rio called home Lanzecki's head butted against the door. He let out a long whine as if he had just escaped death. It wobbled and deepened as he pushed the door open.

His eyes fell on Kilian the moment he entered the house. The wining only intensified. If he played this right, he might convince Kilian to let him tag along and disobey Rio's initial orders. Flopping his belly to the ground with another longing whimper, Lanzecki pulled himself forward with his front claws. Acting as if his hind end was injured. Upon reaching Kilian Lanzecki put his head on the Oblivionites lap. "Rio Taken." Lanzecki whined.

"Leave Lazkey. Rio soon die." Unsure if he got the right reaction. Lanzecki flopped on his back. Twisting his body from side to side as if he were suffering. His four legs pawed at the air. "Save Rio!" Lanzecki continued with all his might. "Rio!"

Maslin

Maslin stood at the edge of the pavilion staring off down into the dark water below. Lazuli, being Lazuli, had sworn he'd seen a thing and dove off the platform into the ocean's depths before Maslin could even think to restrain him. It was not exactly the best start to an event when you were ignoring important announcements in favour of hoping your bonded didn't return with a giant dead sea creature in it's mouth.


I won't kill it Lazuli promised, his mental voice sounded faint and distracted.

Maslin sighed and glanced back towards the gathered and still gathering crowd. Somewhere in this throng of bodies were people he called friends. Friends he genuinely cared enough for that he was willing to make the effort and take the risks necessary to get here. It was strange really and Maslin was unsure of what he'd say when he'd found them. He was unaccustomed to having people that weren't family for whom he made any sort of sacrifice.

After all it wasn't as if whatever news came out today was going to remain a secret, the hybrid man would have heard of it eventually. Yet here he was, clothed less like a blacksmith and more like your average civilian. He was taking advantage of the spacious atmosphere and the promised peace to enjoy the feel of a light sea breeze rustling the feather of his normally hidden wings.

As he looked toward where the leaders were gathered, head cocking to one side when he spotted... Erionda? He blinked a couple times, lifting up on his tip toes, as he looked her over. What was Erionda doing up there? Especially given what she wearing... he didn't think he'd ever seen her in something like that before. He found himself wanting to check the letter again that he had in his pocket, to see if it gave any clues as to what was going on, but didn't want to draw attention to himself, "That's... strange, what is she doing up there?" He murmured to Abellio who gave a crooning sound, one that made him sound as confused as Junjie was feeling at the moment. Confusion turned to him him being startled, nearly given a heart attack, when someone caught hold of his sleep and dragged him backwards.

He whirled around, expecting the worst... and saw someone far different then he expecting and maybe worse then who he was expecting. Uh-oh he thought to himself before he gave a sort of lopsided smile, "Ahh... hello there, Tila, nice to see you again..." He said, knowing full well that she was likely wanting to strangle him at this point. The two of them had left at the same time after all, after they had dealt with the find in that underground lab, and yet here they both were again. Seemed as though he wasn't the only one that couldn't stay away... though he had the reason of being ushered here by the sage. Given that he also at least knew of Tilawen maybe he visited with her too? He wasn't sure but he was quite curious as he asked, "Did you meet with the sage too? Did he give you the letter?" His tone was a hushed one, not wanting to draw more attention to the two of them then they were already getting just due to what they looked like and the fact that they were chatting in a friendly enough manner.

Abellio looked over at the two of them before he lifted up on his back legs, feathers fluffing up, as he watched Rio a little longer before he turned and walked toward Junjie on his back legs, resting his forefeet against Junjie's side and crooned, "Hello Tila! Hello Tila!" It had been so long since they had seen her he thought to himself, or at least it felt like a long time to him but that could just be because he was still young yet and all time seemed to be sooo much longer then it really was. His feathery tail set to swishing before he went back to watching Rio, head cocked to one side, seeming to be trying to figure out what she was doing up there. Why was she up there instead of with them? He should go get her... but he didn't want to leave Junjie if they might end up leaving early with Tila, "Jun! Jun! Where are Lanzecki and Uassae?" He asked, not seeing the two of them straight away. There were other Drakein in the crowd though which made it that much harder to spot them.

Junjie lifted a hand to pet the Keindred the was propped against him, doing his best to keep from tipping over, and said, "I don't see them at the moment but if Rio is here they must be here too." He assured him before looking back to Tilawen once more.

Kadryn had arrived and sat off to the side out of the way of the huge crowd gathering. She felt a faint distaste about being here. After the quiet and serene wastelands of Aisko, this was just too loud and crass for her taste. She also didn't like the tense air that hung over the place...

Looking about, she saw Maslin on the edge of the platform near the sea... Finally, someone she knew! I've really got to meet more people, she thought to herself as she unfurled her large grey wings and flew over to where he was. I seem to spend all of my time in the wilds so I don't know too many people...

"Hey Maslin, no smith's apron today?" She asked with a smile as she landed and re-furled her dual wings back into their hiding place.

Xenosa

After the confrontation with her family, Daesat had found Xenosa while walking back to her grandmother’s home. They’d talked about what had happened, and Xen discovered that her instructor always had her apprentice followed at all times so they could know where she went. It didn’t bother the younger Orderite as much as it should have; maybe it was because she had expected such a thing from her elder. This time it proved that it had helped Daesat find her, because as it happened Xenosa was about to leave the comfort of Serenia for some unknown location. It was the first time she’d be leaving the very soil under her feet, and she was excited. Of course, if Dae had told her why they were leaving maybe she wouldn’t have left to begin with.

The boat they took seemed to be abuzz with something, Xenosa had heard rumors but nothing concrete and Dae made sure to keep her apprentice in the dark. Something had definitely happened, but as to what it was, Xen hadn’t a clue. She was aware of the fact that Dae hadn’t told her what had happened, but didn’t ask any questions. Letters came and went as Xen stayed in a small cabin with her instructor, the days went by and finally Daesat told her they’d be arriving soon. Again, no more info was given to Xenosa, but she followed and stayed quiet, learning from watching instead of asking questions. Maybe, just maybe she should have asked what everything was about, but it felt like she was going to learn the why very soon.

The boat took them to a large crowded area, and once off the boat Daesat turned towards Xenosa. “I need you to blend in with the crowd, don’t talk to anyone and just listen for gossip. Listen carefully Xenosa, because whatever information you gather might be important. You will meet me at the boat once everything is sad and done, not before and certainly not after. Do you understand? I’m leaving you on your own here; I need to see to a few things.” Xen had nodded and Dae had plunged into the thick crowd, it didn’t take very long for it to swallow her up and Xen to lose track of her. Sighing softly, Xen headed first to the outskirts of the large crowd. She’d been walking and listening to some men when she walked right into something, she’d tuned quickly to come face to face with an old looking Drakein. Having never met one, and rarely seen one in person, Xen stared at it.