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 Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 3:46 am
Ronin stepped back when Soren turned to him like that. Soren was angry because he had bested him. He did his best to look somewhat guilty, but really--he was just pleased with himself. His ploy had worked. He wouldn't be left to going to check out the area alone.
He wasn't afraid to, it would just be easier with his brother's built-in tracking. Ronin had often been envious of his brother, of his gift. How much more useful it would be to him. Soren practically wasted it.
Haru stepped up to his brothers. "Let's just calm down, there's nothing to it but to go on now." He gave Ronin a look, "We're not children anymore, we don't play tricks on each other. That was low Ronin, you knew he wanted to get back."
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Posted: Sun Feb 02, 2014 3:57 am
Soren briefly put his hand on Haru's shoulder in a wordless appreciation for the support and also the exasperation of having a kid brother hanging around stuffing stuff up. "Let's head down towards it, then," he said tiredly.
They went at a slower pace now. The second, larger beacon in Soren's mind was stationary and didn't seem to be moving at all.
After about twenty minutes, Doren's head jerked up just before Tasma flew over them and landed behind them in the track.
"I couldn't see anyone," said Tasma.
"What?" asked Soren in surprise. "That's impossible."
"So you still think they're there," asked Tasma doubtfully.
"Yes!" affirmed Soren defensively. He had never doubted his talent before and he was NOT going to start now. He stomped down the trail in the direction of the beacon, his pride goading him on more than his annoying little brother's barbs ever would. Tasma trailed on behind Ronin and Haru, afraid she had upset him, but she would see. They would see. He was right. He was not wrong. There was someone there, he knew it.
Suddenly they were right on top of the beacon. Soren's head swung around. "Should be here... I sense it, here, someone's here," he was getting frazzled. he could sense dragons but not see dragons. A Halloween movie from the 90s came bubbling up to his mind and he swung around to his family. "I have NOT lost my powers!"
"It's okay, Soren," said Tasma placatingly. "Nothing to worry about." She was alarmed at how upset Soren was- no matter what happened, Soren was never upset. But here he was... rattled.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 1:37 am
"That's...nice," Dalila said hesitantly. She'd never brewed a potion before or...met a witch. She shifted to her left foot. "I didn't know anyone else ever came here to look at herbs or relax. There's a little garden in a small meadow further up. But Haru keeps it for medicinal purposes when he goes on journeys."
She hesistated again, "I'm Dalila."
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 1:39 am
"Hello," said Lilina again, this time earnestly. "My name is Lilina." She paused and blinked a few times, thinking. "Did you say Haru? Haru, Soren's brother Haru?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:15 am
Haru was worried about Soren, the way he kept looking around as though things could just disappear. "Are you sure something's here?" He asked it gently, not trying to rile his brother. "Maybe it's further on or something?"
He was trying to be helpful, but he knew he brother wasn't going to be happy. How could he be? He'd got suckered into this plus his radar was on the fritz or something.
Ronin could feel the tingling of his skin, the anticipation of finding what was there. Let the others worry that something wasn't, Soren was never wrong...
There was something here or nearby, probably hiding. A dragon maybe...to take home to mom.
"How many do you sense?" He disregarded the thought of the dragons not being here.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:16 am
Dalila looked at the girl blankly for a moment, "I--well, yes, he does. I think?" She asked questioningly. "How do you know Soren?" Was she missing something? Was she forgetting someone's name again....
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:22 am
Soren actually growled at Ronin, deep in his throat. Maybe it wasn't warranted, but he was actually very scared. His eyes swept the area wildly but his eyes defeated him. His breath was racing.
He saw tasma take a step towards him, anxiety and concern on her face. She looked like she was steeling herself to something. He couldn't let them think he was crazy.
in one moment of clarity, he decided to trust his talent and not his eyes. one of them was telling him lies. He closed his eyes and relied on his talent to tell him what was going on. there were two strong pulses he did not recognise, very close. He stepped towards them. And again. He stumbled on a loose rock with his eyes closed. But he took another step. He was so close now...
Soren heard an astonished gasp from behind him and his eyes snapped open invooluntarily.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:27 am
Lilina smiled sweetly and her fangs somewhat ruined the effect. "Soren is my mate," she said with great pride. "We don't live closeby but I would like to get to know more of Soren's family, like Haru- so I probably shouldn't steal his herbs!" She laughed.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:43 am
Briar pushed at the image in her mind, the image that she had been showing them and let it expand. She magnified how large she looked, until she was huge and intimidating in the illusion. Her weary mind struggling to keep it up.
Pushing harder, she made Valiant look older than he was, not much--but enough. She maintained it for a moment until the image settled more heavily into place. They would not see her chain.
Two armed ponies appeared around them. They weren't real, but they wouldn't know that. This could make them safe.
She lifted her head up, she knew that she looked massive to them. "Who are you? And why are you searching for us?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:44 am
"Oh, well....I..." She felt rather off kilter. "I don't think I knew, did I?" She questioned. Had she forgotten something important. With the other girll's next words she relaxed a little, "Oh good, I haven't forgotten you. I was afraid I might have."
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:50 am
Soren heard a resonating voice and blinked. The pony in front of him Was beautiful and large, with a young one by her side, surrounded by what looked to be trained muscle.
Tasma lunged and pulled Soren back towards her and behind her. "I was looking for the ponies who've been littering on this mountain!" she said self-righteously. "Was it you? If it's not, I have no problem with you." She had been shocked by their sudden appearance and now was trying to defuse a tight situation. Two dragons and two guardsmen? She could maybe take the girl, but she had no idea about her brother's fighting strength. Best to go on their way.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 2:51 am
"No, I haven't met you," said Lilina kindly. "Should I have?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 3:51 am
Ronin felt his mouth fall open. She was huge, powerful--not even mentioning her help. Her size alone was intimidating, and she had a small one with her. Mother was going to be so proud of him for finding them.
The trouble was convincing them to come home. He pushed his mouth shut.
Haru spoke easily, "We didn't mean to bother you. We'll just be going now." He backed away cautiously.
"Wait," Briar's voice called out.
She was afraid to trust them, to let them see her, but they seemed kind--they seemed friendly. Her eyes sought out the other dragon. She looked at the girl, and she knew that she had to take this chance.
"Help me," she asked. "Please," slowly she peeled away the illusion. Her size shrank smaller and smaller till she looked normal, Valiant's size got smaller until they saw him as she did. The guards faded, flickered and dissipated.
She pulled at the chain on her leg, "Please, They're coming...
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:03 am
Tasma stared at Briar, her eyes travelling down to the manacle and still, she was frozen in horror. Holy crap. Then she blinked. "Kay." She set around marshalling her brothers; she was not the second in command for nothing. "Soren, you take the kid. Over there," she said, pointing to the other side of the path, not far away, a few metres, but she couldn't have a baby running around with work to be done on that chain.
Soren, pleased to be vindicated but too shocked to brag about it, beckoned the boy to him. "All right, mate, come over here so Tasma can look at that thing. I'm not going to hurt you, my name's Soren."
Tasma took the chain in hand and inspected it at its attachment to the stone and then the manacle. "This isn't normal," she said. "It's very strong talent woven... I don't think I can open this, or tug it loose. We might have to try and snap it." She turned to haru and Ronin, already aware that Soren would be of no use in this instance. "Can you think of anything?" she asked.
It would surprise her to know, later on, that she had not reassured the dragon girl in any way, not introduced herself as Soren had or asked the name of the girl. She had just put her game face on and headed to work with the calm confidence of a natural-born and honed leader.
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Posted: Mon Feb 03, 2014 4:38 am
"I...dont' think so," Dalila said more confidently. "I'm with the dragon clan, and Soren hasn't been back there for awhile. Which, well, you know that." She miled at the girl.
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