Welcome to Gaia! ::

"Well looks like fate and the old man picked a couple easy candidates to just disappear from their home town and become dragon riders!" *Back to Kiana. I point my thumb back over my shoulder to a path leading to town.* "Probably that general direction but don't sue me if I'm wrong."

*For the first time that day my grin fades away.* "If it's gonna be painful don't talk about it. Don't get all sad again just cause of me. Well if ya like, go and enjoy your last sunset here. Don't let me bother ya unless ya'd like company. I'd better dig up my stash I've got just for the occasion that I've gotta skip town pretty soon too."

*I grin again.* "Not really anywhere to go with me. I've got my stash hidden in the Dragoon's tool shed! But I might need to find a new loaf of bread, the one in there might have attracted a little mold."

"Sure, I can always come back later." *I start off down the trail to town.* 'Looks like the with family issues will be Kiana........maybe the other guys too.....can't remember his name for the life of me.........'

*My turn to share.* "He was in the army for years. He met my mother on a routine region patrol and after a couple days in town they fell madly in love. He dropped out of the army and was given a hefty sum of money that he planned to use to bring up a family. Well a couple years past and I came along. At first my father was a very respectable man. Had a job, a loyal wife, and a child. But the years past and the man discovered alcohol. He spent much of his army money on his poison and soon he couldn't keep a job cleaning out a cesspit. Well luckily for him my mother is an extraordinarily carpenter and seamstress and has kept a merger amount of food on the table. for the last six years that's how things have been and she's gone into a state of bare existence. I don't even know if she knows I'm still around anyways she's so out of it. Pa only tried to beat her once but all he got of it is a knife in the leg. So he just hollers at her in his forever drunken stupor and she just keeps carving, sewing, and breathing. Now you know why the house is my second home and the streets or anywhere else is my first."

(yea, probably same here. But don't be disapointed if I'm not on 2moro. I've got a busy schedule and I'm not much of a morning person but I'll try my best.)

Darek wanted to stop her but, she was gone to fast. "To hell with the king and his army. I have things that are more inportant than being an officer. Taksar village is where I was going to go to turn in my aplication. It is on the way to the moutains. I will give them notification that I have had a change of heart." Darek turned and headed for his own house. He had been living in his own home for one year now. He went through all the things that he needed. He came on an old note book of his. It had in its pages hand drawn pictures of dragons, dragoons, and one portrait of Katara. He had spent weeks on it so that it would match her perfectly. The next page was blank and it was marked by a bracelet with a hand carved rubie and saphire, both in the shape of a dragons head. He had always had a way with art. He put the book into his bag. With the bracelet in hand, he ran for Katara's house. When he made it there he stood at the door. He was not sure if he had the nerve to do this.

Darek was about to knock on the door whencame out. "Hey..." He stood there kinda dazed. Gathering his thoughs took only a moment. "Umm... I wanted to tell you that I am not going to the kings army. I can't, not with all of this going on. Besides, this will be a better way to protect the people I love. And now I can protect you as well." He drew close to her and took her hand. "I have spent the last two years making this and I wanted you to have it." He placed the bracelet in her hand. "I'll see you at sunset." And he headed back toy the old dragoons hut.

Darek arrived at the old dragoon's hut. He entered and saw the old man in his bed. He was looking wrose than he had ever seen him. "Darek, come closer." It was no more than a whisper. "I am here." Darek said.
"Now *cough* you will head out soon. Head to Strket village. There will be horses waiting for you at the edge of the village. A man will be with them. Give him this note. He will alow you to take the horses and give you maps of the country. After you have earned your dragon *cough* you will head for Varek'edmule, our capital city to meet with the king. By then you will know what to say to him. And if your need is great, follow this map it will lead you to help. Darek, these are my last moments here on this world. Do not let the dragoons fall and protect the others with your life." He handed Darek the note and the map. "I was once a dragoon and I wish to die as one." He pulled out one last orb. It was fading and seemed cracked. "Darek, let me barrow your strength." The old man grabed his hand. "Old friend, it has been a long time. I summon you. Dragoon release!!!" lightning seemed to form around him and his clothse were replaced by yellow dragon scale armor. He looked young again. "Now I leave you to your own adventures. Live to protect the good and just. Good bye, my friend." Lightning started striking all around his body as he slowly disapeared. Darek was left sobbing in the blankets of the bed. When he finaly stood, he headed out of the hut and to the center of town as he was told. And he waited there for sunset with tears in his eyes. 'Good bye you old dragoon.'