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 Posted: Sat Jul 21, 2007 5:16 pm
As some of the other dragons spoke with the knights, then to Shadine once they were led to her in particular, Blade and Astalder remained a little towards the back of the group as neither were particularly sure of what they needed to do at this point. There was nothing else that either of them needed to add in to what was already said, and speaking was the primary thing that had to be done right now.
Though, how the two felt on the situation was fairly different. The dragon felt that there had to be something that they could do aside from just telling the knights and Shadine of what was going on, while the human was fairly certain there wasn't anything else that could be done.
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Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 4:00 pm
Avalene held on hard to the edges of the saddle, desperately hoping she wouldn't slide off the back. She wasn't that much of a rider. She'd always walked everywhere. And this ranger seemed to be taking the difficult route. Avalene grit her teeth and ducked her head, silently praying to the powers that Jayara knew what she was doing and that she wouldn't fall off.
Unbidden, a thought came to her. The stranger would die before she saw him again. It felt very cold all of a sudden and Avalane managed to find the breath to speak.
"I don't care where we go," she told Jayara, "as long as it's away from here."
-----------------------
"Scatter formation!" Lierce roared, turning his body and raising one wing so that his side and armor took most of the attack and that Hammand was shielded from the flying rock particles. They panged against his armor and a couple found open points and sank in deep into the skin. Lierce ignored the pain and turned his head back enough to spit a ball of fire at his attacker.
The two dragons with him on the ground broke for either side of Risen, running fast, and their riders readied spears to come at him from either flank.
Overhead, the circling dragons broke apart, forming two groups of three and one group dove, coming in to cut off the last avenue of attack towards Risen - the sky.
'Very soon,' Sain's voice said in Risen's mind, 'Your trial will be over. I wonder if you'll be strong enough to break the last binding fate has on you... so few are.' Then he was silent.
-----------------
Shadine listened to the young dragons and considered Vastina's words for a moment. Something to stop them...
"I do not think there is a way to stop them from destroying the human's lands," she finally said, "We don't have a force that we can gather quickly enough to stop them. The Knights can be recalled but there's still not enough time, not if the Fallen are raiding in the northern Borderlands. That'd be the logical place for them to attack."
She said something to herself, softly, and it sounded like she was cursing Tarketh's name. Her face was twisted up in grim concentration and then after a moment, she nodded, slowly.
"We can't stop the raid," she finally said, "but we can save the humans. I have runes... I can contact the Knights with these. And I can transport things from one location to another - humans call it teleportation - but only up to a certain mass."
She stepped down off the raised dais and traced on the ground with one hoof. Glowing gold light followed her movement until the runes spiraled out and joined each other in a complex pattern that seemed to bend and twist and hurt the eye to gaze at too long.
"If you're brave to do this," she said, "lay a few drops of your blood onto the rune. Tarketh... hinted... at an attack but I did not know what he was referring to until it was lay right at my feet. I think I know the location. This will take you there... but only the youngest. "
Her gaze lay on the adult and adolescents.
"You will not be able to use the circle. If you wish to help, you will have to fly." And her voice was cold. "It'll be dangerous, young ones, but if you truly want to help the humans - then go to their village and get them out in any way you can. The Fallen will find only empty buildings and by the time they realize what has happened the Knights will have been recalled to drive them off. You must buy time, understand?"
And she stepped back to let each young dragon decide.
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Kiddo Seanchain Vice Captain
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Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2007 9:38 pm
"Works for me," Jay responded in kind. So they were going to play it by ear it seemed.
Continuing their roughshod ride through the timberland, the ranger grew less certain of Avalene's grip after moving around a particular tree. The unusual rhythm to the saddle was becoming more noticeable. Throwing a quick glance back at her passenger, she saw Avalene hanging on to the saddle for dear life.
"Wrap your arms around my waist and take hold of my belt," Jay tried to shout over her shoulder.
In order to give Avalene a moment to get a good grip without falling off, she would probably have to slow Dulcimer's speed a little. She turned around to to do so but was met with a sharp swipe across the side of her face as the pointy end of a branch said hello. Instantaneously, there was a small bellow from the ranger, nearly planting her face into the back of the horse's neck. Jay slowed Dulcimer to a trot.
"Damn tree," she growled through her teeth at the stinging sensation, particularly to her ear. While she was angry at the inanimate object, she was more mad at herself for turning around in the first place.
"If you grab the belt and practically hug me to death, we can get back up to pace," Jay said aloud, keeping her head down and not attempting to turn around, even at the slower speed.
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Posted: Wed Jul 25, 2007 2:44 am
Risen growled as earthen spikes shot up out of the ground around him. However the tips of the spikes were blunt rather then pointed. He would by Avalene and the ranger as much time as he could. He however knew that there was only so much he could do. In fact as he rose the earthen spikes he knew he left himself open to attack from above. The idea wasn't to harm the knights. It was to distract them until the time was right.
----------------------------------------------
Vastina looked at Rue and then nodded as she stepped towards the rune and clipped the tip of her tounge before letting the blood drop on the shining surface. Rue looked at Vastina and then reached a hand out to her. The dragon then used one of her teeth to make a cut on the back of his hand so he too could contribute some blood. They would go forth and do what they could. Vastina could feel some of the spirits in the cave moving about. They were nervous about this. As nervous as spirits could get at least. They knew when something big was happening.
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Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 9:09 am
Viscal and Grishmak seemed to take this as their 'okay, you've done your part, time to go and do something else', and they were fine with that. Viscal lowered his head in an awkward bow, and stepped backwards.
"I won't be going. I cannot fly, and truth be told I don't want to get in the way of the Fallen. I've seen a bit much of them, not that I mind them. Some are...nice enough. Well, as nice as a Fallen can be," Viscal stopped, figuring he was just rambling. He turned his gaze to the other dragons to see what they would do.
Grishmak seemed plain old amused, but was not sure of whether he would try and go or not. He somewhat just wanted to annoy the Fallen. He still had that feeling like he should help, but pushed it away and labled that his sense for survival. If his or his bonds pray were to die out, they would die out, but there were a lot of humans.
"Me and Thara won't be going. We don't want the humans to stop trusting you because of our vampiric traits. We make bad company. Thanks for the offer though."
---
Azra stared at the man, confused. "I don't follow," she said simply, eyes on the sword.
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Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 4:54 pm
Once Shadine had explained that they had to go to the scene themselves if they were to try to help at all, Astalder and Blade glanced at one another to see what the other wanted to do here. About a moment passed by before the dark youngling had stepped towards Shadine and her rune.
"I'm going."
With a bit of a sigh, the human nodded but remained where he was. For one thing, the ascended only spoke to the dragons within the group so he doubted that he was included in the offer of transportation. And not only that but he really wasn't too keen on risking his life again when he almost ended up dying the night before.
On the other hand, he really didn't want to leave his friend to go at it alone, and he noticed that the other boy Rue was going along as well. So shaking his head lightly, he too stepped forth before drawing out his sword partially to run his index finger along the blade.
"So am I for that matter."
After the human had given a bit of his blood, Astalder nodded before scratching a part of his arm to contribute some of his own. While he wasn't sure how much help he'll be in this situation, he was glad to at least have his human friend with him there.
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Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:07 pm
-then man still stood guard waiting for anything-
"Simple little song bird, answer a yes or no."
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Posted: Thu Jul 26, 2007 7:34 pm
Azra gave the man a baffled look, and she was truley confused. She sought out a reply, some quick wit, but nothing came to her. She was only aware that there was a sword threatning her. She then opened her mouth and just let words tumble out without any thought.
"I don't recall a question being asked. And really, you intend to attack a defenseless woman? Isn't that a bit cruel? As you can see, I have nothing on me to defend myself. Unless you think my preist cloak has some sort of defense? I have no intention of fighting you or your pet dragon."
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Kiddo Seanchain Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:40 pm
There was a feeble attempt to grab at Jayara's belt and then Avalene felt everything go light around her. The trees seemed very far away, behind a misty haze, and dimly Avalene remembered that last time this had happened... she'd woken abandoned.
With one last thought of despairing resignation, Avalene slipped off Dulcimer's saddle and to the ground, sinking into unconsciousness before she even hit the ground.
---------------------
Master Lierce leapt back and the ground shook as he landed. From above, the dragon-knights struck, the first aiming to land on Risen's back, his rider angling the spear for the shoulder-joint.
"Subdue him!" Lierce roared, "I want him for questioning!"
The second dragon attacking from sky broke off and instead landed next to Lierce, speaking quickly and softly to him and his Dragon-Bound.
---------------------
The village was of a fairly good size. A staked palisade surrounded it and there were watchtowers at each end with lookouts on them. This was a dangerous area and the watchmen were not only there to warn the town of bandits - but dragons also.
However, Shadine had the nerve to open the portal in the direct center of the town. A burst of swirling gold and blue light appeared in the middle of the dusty courtyard and after a moment deposited the young dragons that had decided to go warn the town. Then the portal vanished, and there was silence from the shocked villagers.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:25 pm
The abrupt lack of weight and open air at her backside initially confused the ranger until her wits caught up to her and Jay pulled back on the reigns.
"Bloody Black Bird!" she said, cursing her imaginary harbinger of bad luck when she turned around to see the white and blue garments of the supposed prophet girl in the bushes. Jay dismounted in a leap and tied Dulcimer's reigns to the nearest sturdy branch before running to Avalene's side with certainty about the young lady's health creeping upon her.
"Come on... not after all this," the woodswoman spoke while checking Avalene for breath. Fortunately, it seemed the earth had not taken Lady Avalene as she was still breathing, but any injuries remained unknown to the ranger.
Worry lines crossed Jay's forehead as she briefly looked over Avalene for broken bones while trying to get her to wake. If Avalene would not stir, she would have to ungraciously haul the body onto the horse - a possible task the ranger was not looking forward to.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 1:30 pm
-The man just simply laughed at himself-
"Even the quick witted tung can be out witted."
-he looked at her-
"The statement I spoke of earlier is written by a man that studied dragons, older dragons tend to like to test your wisdom with riddles and often drag you into a game before they even trust you a little."
-he sheathed his sword-
"Now I am starting to sound like the old man I am and I starting to explain too much but right now, but I feel I have to."
-he then knelt now and looked at Crevan-
"Now you remember those words for when you wish to speak you test anyone that crosses your path"
-He looked up the girl again-
"Cause your a so called Woman doesn't mean you can't do anything. Besides fate is always Cruel."
"Then again how would you travel alone with out some sort of protection, since your a Woman after all. I could imagine all the trouble you must of had to get to this point the lands, gold stolen, could of been killed, or even rapped."
"And this so called Woman stands before me saying she had nothing to defend her."
"but I will trust your word."
-he then open the latch of Crevan's cage and open it as he slowly stood-
"About as far as I can throw you, so called Woman."
-Crevan winced as the top was remove and wasn't sure if he could leave or not.-
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Posted: Wed Aug 08, 2007 2:54 pm
"Do not touch her," a voice said from behind Jayara. There had been no indication of anyone approaching - not a stir in the air, not a sound on the leaves, not even the strange uneasiness that normally signaled someone's appearance.
He walked over to Dulcimer and gently placed one hand on the horse's forehead, murmuring to it in a language that was utterly foreign and unlike any of the existing languages in its pronunciation. It was lyrical but had a guttural quality behind it, like it had started out beautiful but last the refinement at some point.
The man... if he could be called that... was just as strange as the language. His hair was long and pale, almost white, and his skin was only a shade lighter. His eyes were similarly albino. The only normal thing about him was his clothing, save for the fact that he was barefoot in the middle of a forest.
"Take your horse and ride on," he said, "You have other duties, ranger, and this girl is not one of them. The stranger you left behind will stop the dragons - it is his duty and he will not fail us - and the prophetess will be safe. But she must be left behind."
"It is the nature of these things. She cannot walk the same path that mortals do or there will be no power behind her. And the world needs her... it needs a catalyst. So go. Your part here is done."
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Kiddo Seanchain Vice Captain
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 12:35 am
At the first few words, the ranger froze in place. There had been no warning.
"No offense, but I've a problem taking kindly to strangers who sneak up on me," Jayara said, her heart pounding as she turned toward the pale stranger, her right hand deftly drawing the knife from her belt. "And frankly, I'm getting real sick of surprises today. Who are you and what in blazes do you know?" she challenged while still on one knee beside Avalene. Her other hand was already slowly making its way toward her left boot cuff for the dagger stashed within.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:05 am
Risen smirked as the dragon swooped down at him. He moved just enough so that the spear missed him. He then moved his weight back against the dragon that was now near him. The Blessed dragon also whipped his tail in an arch and another birage of rocks and stones flew at the knights.
_______________________
Once in the village Vastina blinked a few times. She had never seen so many humans. As she lifted one of her hoofed feet she noted the watched towers. The spirits here were unhappy too. "Rue?" She said carefully to her little human friend.
The boy was getting his bearings as well and he knew that the humans here were not happy to see at least 2 dragons show up in the middle of their village. "Vast act scary. Maybe we can scare them out of the village." They needed to start what they came for now.
The idea of scaring anyone didn't sit well with Vastina but she knew why he had said it. She however did not start acting scary. She looked at the closest human and spoke in their rough speach. "You are in danger. Please run from the village or you will all die." She sounded earnest but she knew it propibly wouldn't work.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 2:08 pm
Azra just laughed, and turned back to face the woods again. She had listened to what he had said and done, but she acted as if she hadn't.
"Do as you please, I have places I must be," Azra declared, "you provided a source of amusement for me, and I thank you for that, but I know that was not your intention. I wish you well on the roads, as like you said, they are more dangerous than you think."
She laughed a bit, then started to walk off into the woods, not even sparing the man or dragon a second glance. She seemed to enjoy acted as if she was not all there. Then again, it could be that she just wasn't all there.
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