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 Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:46 am
 The Errand of Dragons Rising
Dame Elenda the Strong has been chosen by the King to lead this Errand. Because she bears the Chain of Command, the success or failure of the quest is entirely on her shoulders. Honored but undaunted, Dame Elenda is more than ready for the task.
Now the journey begins. The Errand riders must travel down the mountain, arriving at the large outpost that has come to be known as Mandor Castle Town.
The sun is falling....
The course is set.
High in a Castle tower, an orb of light is glowing.
Destiny smiles upon the unexpected as oft as the deserving.
So says Ordona the Scryer, Speaker for the Gods.
(( Do your best, and have fun! ))
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:47 am
Dame Elenda of Mandor....the sun begins to fall....Several additional persons had joined during the hours before sunset, and many more came at the last minute. All were taken care of smoothly and efficiently, and Elenda took the chance to review once more the registry list before departure. When the sky flared bright with the colors of flame, Dame Elenda mounted Hona, her dapple gray mare, and took up a position next to the great gates of the Castle. There she waited, watching the sun set. This was the time appointed. The dame knight kept her eyes on the horizon, through the open gates, waiting for the sun to sink behind the distant horizon. No matter how many or how few gathered behind her, Elenda planned to leave not a moment after or before. Only when the sun set and she and her party were outside the gates would she turn and reward them with words worthy of the beginning of such a quest. The Errand of Dragons Rising was ready to begin. ....while anticipations rise in its place.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:12 am
Sariel had returned to the stables and saddled up her own charcoal colored horse Dresden. It had been a gift from her guild master. He had let her leave his rule with his blessings. She rode out to the gate finding that the Dame Elenda was already there waiting. Sariel smiled and nodded her head in greeting turning her eyes to the sky. She allowed the colors wash over her eyes for a moment. She watched the purple grow and the red and orange flare across the sky like untamed flames. The colors blossomed like new spring morning wet with the faint drops of dew that would wait to dry until the heat of the day would dry it away.
Sariel waited her reins wrapped in one hand, Dresden shook his head. Sariel absentmindedly patted his sleek neck before she drew up her cloak and hood. She was ready. She could only see the future and the dark reminders of her past were sinking slowly with the sun in the distant sky.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:15 am
Cain stared at the dog with the girl for a while, then left in laughter. She was kind of right, he was too drunk to go on any errand if he didn't sober up.
The sun was slowly but surely vanishing behind the horizon. Cain had asked one of the maids in the tavern to wake him up when the sun began to set, and so she did. He prepared his leather bag after he got up and went through his belongings one last time. It wasn't very much he brought along.
A spare cape, it was azure blue with the Azurean crest in the centre, he would wear it starting tomorrow. His two swords, his armor, his old helmet. With a sigh he went to his bag, picked it up and left.
Downstairs he paid the tavern owner a rather large sum for his room, Cain had absolutely no money problems as he was the Baron of perhaps the most promising Barony in all of Mandor, at least the economy was prospering to an extent it felt like cheating.
On his way to the stable he noticed that a lot of people were moving towards the gates, he could make out Dame Elenda who was already sitting on her horse in front of the gate, gazing outside at the landscape. Cain quickly pushed himself into the stable and put his leather bag around Vauxs neck.
”C'mon boy, we're already late.” Cain smiled as he petted the griffons neck, the sat on its back and left the stable. A number of people had already gathered, Cain could not say what part of all participants it was but he could feel the epic scale of the errand.
”Milady.” Cain grinned as he brought Vaux to an halt next to Elenda, he was beginning to feel a headache. ”I hope I wasn't a burden earlier, my friends' wine truly caught me off guard.”
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 9:33 am
Seodred was glad that Enynwa was so energetic. He hadn't slept for two days, and was unexpectedly thrust on a mission he was hardly acquainted with. He didn't bother asking how they were supposed to survive, and dipped in to his reservoir rations so he would have enough energy to last all night. Enynwa ate less freqently than he, and was not due in for a meal for another day or so. A good thing to, because Seodred wouldn't be able to afford to pay for someone's goat suddenly gone missing.
Seodred climbed on Enynwa and stationed himself behind Dame Elenda. He looked around for someone to make contact with, but everyone was excited and introduced to each other, so didn't bother talking to him. It didn't help that he rode a stryder, notorious for bad behavior, and it was normal for people to stay back a ways. He looked back to see Cain catching up after a late start, and gave a small nod of recognition to the man. Perhaps he could speak to him later, but for now, Cain was talking with Elenda.
Seodred noticed an extra bounce in Enynwa's step, and he could tell she was ansy. She was nocturnal by nature, though she rarely slept in the day without Seodred's consent. He led her to the back outskirts of the party, where she could move a bit more freely, and a bit faster. He had to remind her to double back every time she reached the front, so they would not get ahead of the group. Seodred wished he had as much energy as she.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 1:52 pm
When it was time to leave, Zuuta managed to make it in time to meet Dame Elenda by the gates. She was suprised by how many people were there for the Errand, for most Errand parties weren't this large. But then again, most Errands were only open to knights and this Errand in particular was quite the unusual one. Haber whined enthusiastically out of impatience. The smells of all the different steeds and people were driving him almost stir crazy. He would probably settle down within the next day or so, but for now, the large hound was going to be at his most annoying. She led Kohlsin up next to a man on a black stryder - Which the stallion didn't seem to mind all that much - before gracefully swinging herself up onto his back without needing to use the stirrups. Once she had positioned herself comfortably in the saddle, she looked over at the elegant steed next to her.
"You have a lovely stryder there," She commented aloud to the rider. "Her dark scales have a very healthy look to them."
Normally, Zuuta wasn't one to just pass out compliments, but anyone who cared for their animals well would be able to gain her respect. Besides, she herself had never seen such a good-looking stryder. Even though her specialty was animals, she actually didn't know that much at all about these land-bound cousins of the dragons. The Leone Ranch just started investing in breeding and training stryders a few years ago, which is nowhere near long enough to know much besides basic behaviors.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 5:54 pm
Seodred was caught off guard by a voice coming from beside him. He looked over to see a blonde woman looking his way. She had the oddest weapons he had ever seen, not to mention armor of much different taste than he was used to. She was riding a horse and had a large hound hanging nearby.
"Thank you," he responded, smoothing Enynwa's scales down. "There is a special treatment of oils on animal hide that makes a great scale shiner. It keeps her scales from getting dull and scratched, not to mention she loves a good rub-down." Enynwa gave a small shake of her neck, a horse's equivelent of shaking their mane. Seodred laughed at Enynwa's way of agreeing with him.
"I'm Seodred," he said, with a nod and a smile, since they couldn't really shake hands. "It seems you are quite the animal lover?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:01 pm
Dame Elenda of Mandor....so the twilight falls.The sun abruptly winked out, finally letting go its strained hold on its colorful place in the sky. In an instant the shroud of twilight descended, causing all conversations to cease. Elenda had said not a word to anyone--only nodding in reply to anyone's attempt at conversation. Now she flexed her knees upon Hona, signaling for the horse to step forward through the gates. Elenda still did not look back. A small distance beyond the gates was a small, grassy rise. Up this Elenda rode, and at last she wheeled round her mount and gazed behind toward the gate. A host of Errand-riders waited outside the walls of the Castle, their breath bated for the quest to begin. Dame Elenda smiled at them, held her mighty halberd aloft, and raised her voice to address the host. "Errand-riders of Mandor! You are the first to embark upon the Errand of Dragons Rising! More will follow, but the trail is ours to blaze! The burden is ours to bear! Our road is long and hard, and none can tell what may await us at its end, but we will overcome whatever challenges we face! "Tonight, rest in comfort and savor the mantle of honor! For Mandor Castle Town is opened wide for us upon the mountain's base, and there the people wait to lavish us as heroes yet unmade. Tonight will not brook the humble; many a chance there will be for that. The fires of the forge will come soon enough. Take strength while you can, O unforged steel, and look to the blade that you will become. Tonight, revel in the choice you have made: that whatever shall follow, yours was the choice to take up arms and answer the King's call! Yours was the choice to take the Errand of Dragons Rising! "Ride with me now, and let us be joined by the bonds of our common cause! For comrades we are, and family we will become! Ride now and descend upon the road of glory, and let your hearts be swelled with pride! Come with a strong hand and a shining heart! For Mandor!!" The pent-up cheer was unleashed into the gathering dusk. The noise rose from the group of warriors and echoed across the mountainous vista of the greatest kingdom of the known world. Elenda's gryphon, Aron, let out a piercing screech to join the exulting voices. Even as the cheering continued, Dame Elenda spurred her steed down the small rise and took her place at the head of the procession, leading the way as the wide trail began to descend. ....so the Errand begins.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 6:42 pm
"Finally!" Halo blurted as the procession started to move. Some people looked at him strangely, and he ignored them. Oops.
"Excited, eh?" someone nearby laughed.
Seriously, did the Dame have to make some long winded speech? Just go and get along with it! Why couldn't she make the speech when they got to the castle town, when they were about to leave the castle town.
More like, can we hurry up?Halo thought as he rode along on his "white" horse. The quicker and farther they could get away from the WHOLE Mandor Castle and town area, the better. He didn't know how long a certain someone was going to be out. That certain someone had better stamina and endurance than him.
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Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 7:52 pm
Zuuta was about to respond to Seodred when a deafening quiet spread across the group. Elenda moved forward a bit before turning to face them. She gave an enpowering speech that could even move the meekest of men to take up a sword and join the cause. Her words made it very apparent who exactly was in charge, and Zuuta was pretty sure that this assertive Dame would lead them well. When the eruption of cheers rose up from the crowd, she didn't hold Haber back from joining in with a loud and thundering howl.
She looked back over to Seodred as their group began to mobilize. "Well met Seodred, and as for being an 'animal lover', I guess you could say it comes with the job." She stated, glancing over at Haber who had gone ahead of them a few yards. "You see, when I'm not at the castle for knightly duties, I'm raising and training animals at my family's ranch. I'm Zuuta Leone by the way, and that wolfhound is my dog Haber. The sturdy fellow beneath me is Kohlsin." She gave her stallion an affectionate pat on the neck when she mentioned him.
She made a mental note to herself to remember this fellow's name, for he seemed quite well-versed when it came to stryders. Goodness knows that she and her parents needed all the help they could get with their troublesome young ones. Although she quite despised having to go to others for advice, especially when it came to the one subject she already knew so much about.
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 8:35 am
Cain had joined in the shouts of joy and excitement and so had Vaux. As the crowd began to move Cain and his griffon lifted up into the air, the animal had been caught in the stable for quite a while.
”You'll get enough chances to fly boy.” the baron laughed and directed his griffon back down, though he was surprised how many flying mounts there were on this errand.
Cain and Vaux touched back down in the centre of the crowd, he figured Dame Elenda wasn't in a very talkative mood now. Not long after his sight fell on a near by Holy Knight, he rode a white horse who's fur was of an intriguing color and surface and somehow looked familiar.
As Cain moved closer he could see the excited expression on his face.
”You're sure excited lad.” the baron grinned and nodded at Halo who's name he didn't yet know. He still looked familiar, then again Cain was likely to have met most elves in Mandor, especially high ranked ones and was politically involved with almost all of them.
”Oh, my Manners.” Cain smiled and slightly bowed on his griffon, as a handshake on mount was something Cain never really felt comfortable with. ”I am Baron Cain of Azurea, but most Elves call me Aransadorien .”
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 12:10 pm
Sariel pulled her cloak tighter around her body, she pulled up the cloth that covered her face so that only her dark green eyes could be seen. She had kicked Dresden into movement gently following the others. She watched the parade of horses and griffins and stryders and winged horses around her. She felt the words of the Dame echoing inside of her heart.
Sariel was weary though. She had created problems for herself, she was in a situation that could on day prove to be very fatal. In truth she only wished for an acceptance she knew she may never find. She knew that a past hidden always finds a way to come to light. She knew that to some she would always be a threat, people would distrust her for what she once was. Or what she still may be.
"You seem to be lost in thought." Someone next to her said. Sariel turned her head ot see the person addressing her.
"Yes i get lost in thought often." She replied a smile evident in her voice. "But then again there are many things to get lost in, a moment , a day, music... So much to get lost in. I think its best when we finally discover why it is we choose to get lost in some things to begin with." she finished
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Posted: Thu Jan 28, 2010 5:23 pm
After parting from Zaria and Sariel, the "River" bard simply strolled around. He had no mount to tend to. After observing many others and striking up casual conversation, they were all ready to go at Dame Elenda's beck and call.
And with some emphasis, the dame had given a short speech to celebrate the opening of the errand.
And so the errand starts says the dame
Accompanied by none that were completely lame
For hunting dragons was not to be an easy game
Hmm... I'm not getting the right syllables.
"Yay. Hurrah! Go kick some dragon tail!" River shouted enthusiastically.
As he looked around, it occurred to him that many people had mounts. Perhaps, he'd have to tag along with one of them. The question was who.
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