Autumn's Beginning, Autumn's Breeze

Velna-

"What about you? Riley asked, "Do you have a story?"

Velna looked up relizing that he had been talking to her. She looked back down into the fire and frowned,

"Well, there isn't much that I can remember, Trent either." She started, she owned them some explanation. "We were both orphaned at a young age. We've roamed around pretty much ever sense. I found Crest's amulet several years ago. He's helped us ever sense and he has taught Trent a few things too."

Riley-

I nodded as i listened.

"Wait, who's Crest?" i asked suddenly.

"He's a dragon. He lives inside this amulet." she said, holding it in her hand so I could see.

"Wow, a dragon. I haven't seen one in ages." I wondered.

She chuckled. "Crest is one of the largest of his kind. He helped me kill a few demons when we were fighting back there. He was hurt, and I don't know how badly."

As she said those last words, i saw her gaze flicker over to Natan quickly. He didn't respond immediately, only continued to stare into the fire.

"Hear that, Natan?" i asked, nudging him lightly. He started, blinked and glanced at me.

"What?"

"Velna has a hurt dragon."

"Hmm."

I watched him expectantly. He finally caught on.

"Er, never actually healed a dragon before. Or seen my father do it..."

"Aw, what's the difference between flesh and scales?"

"I could think of a few things," he muttered, then sighed.

"Alright, i'll give it a try, i suppose. So long as he doesn't bite..."

Velna-

Velna chewed on her lip, Crest? She gently called to him,

I'm not hungry. Crest's voice moaned,

Natan said he will try and heal you, will you let him? She asked gently,

No, Crest replied sharply

Please, what if you are seriously hurt?

I'll survive. he replied

For me? Crest moaned,

Fine, but not in this cave, go outside, I wouldn't fit in here anyway. He mumbled. Velna stood up and walked towards the entrance of the cave. The amulet started to glow and Crest came out. There was a good size gash on his stomach. The scales that were normally white were red. Velna gasped at the site. It isn't that bad He hissed in her mind. Velna heard Riley and Natan walk over but she couldn't pull her stare away from the cut.

Why didn't you tell me it was that bad? She demanded,

You are making a big deal out of nothing! Crest replied lowering his head down to where he was looking right at her. She stroked his head and shook her head.

It is still bleeding, it is a big deal She replied softly. She craddled his head in her arms and looked at Natan,

"Do you think you can help him?" She asked softly.

Natan-

I blinked as a huge dragon suddenly materialized outside the cave, lowering it's head so that it was level with Velna. She stroked the beast's head and turned to look at me.

"Do you think you can help him?" she asked softly.

My eyes, that had been examining the huge head, slowly began to examine the rest of the dragon. It was then i noticed the long, ragged gash on the soft underbelly.

"I...er...i can try. But i can't promise any results..."

I walked forward until i came to stand at the dragon's side and i laid my hand lightly on the red scales. Focusing my energy on the cut, i muttered the words that should heal it. I waited a few moments, but nothing happened.

"Well, the basic healing spell used on most creatures didn't work..." i explained. "But there's one more thing i can try...if i can just remember the word..."

What wasthat damn word?

I began to pace, not even fully aware i was doing it. After a moment i snapped my fingers and looked up triumphantly. A small fireball shot out of my hand.

Note to self: Do not snap fingers.

"I've got it. This one should work."

I went back to stand next to the dragon again, laying my hand on the cold, wet scales again. Then i whispered the incantation that i thought would work, substituting the word 'creature' with 'dragon'. After a moment the wound began to heal. Once it had completely closed up, i collapsed from exhaustion and lost consciousness. Finally the day had caught up with me.

Velna-

Crest's head spun around to look at Natan and Velna gasped when he fell on the ground unconscious. She ran over to him and looked at Riley.

"Is he ok?" She asked worried,

"I think so, just tired." Riley smiled. They both carried him into the cave as Crest took off to hunt. Riley and Velna laid Natan on his beddng and then Velna went back and sat next to the fire yawning.

Riley-

We laid Natan down and immediately Velna went back to sit by the fire. I hovered next to Natan for a moment before going back to sit next to Velna. I didn't think he was hurt, just exhausted.

I sat down next to Velna and sighed, bringing my knees to my chest and laying my hands on them. I laid my head down on my hands.

We sat in silence for a while, my gaze always either on Ariana, Natan, or the fire.

"So what is it like? Having a dragon live inside your amulet and all?" I asked, breaking the silence.

Velna-

"Sometimes it is annoying, he is very opinionated, but he is my gaurdian. I love him, there are people that would love to get their hands on us, but they wont. Now that I have owned the amulet if I am killed he will never come out of it again, and die. So there is alot about it that isn't as awesome as some people think." Velna muttered she pulled her legs closer to her and shivered as the rest of the cold from her left. Crest would be coming back soon and he would sleep. Weither he would go back into the amulet or if he would just sleep outside of the cave letting her curl up next to him was unknown. "He is like another Trent, over protective, but he is sweet. What is it like haveing wings?" She asked looking t him.

Ariana

When I next woke it was morning, and I was curled up next to Riley with his wings wrapped tight around me, but his arms even tighter still. Nobody else was awake so I snuggled in closer to him and willed myself back to sleep.

*Short but I was bored and yeah...*

*Ignoring Alzz's post, because she said it was alright and i couldn't do anything with it...*

Riley-

I laughed softly. "I am asked that question often. It has become a familiar sensation, having wings. It's just a part of me now...but it feels great to fly. The wind rushing up against your face..."

I gave a wistful sigh. How I longed to fly again. It had been so long (not including the time i took Ariana).

"It can't be much unlike flying on Crest, except you aren't dependent on another being. You are...free."

I continued staring into the fire, lost in thought, until a small noise behind me made my head turn. Arms wound around my neck loosely and Ariana's head rested upon my shoulder. I smiled.

"You're up quicker than expected." i remarked.

Ariana

I smiled back, "I got cold," I said simply. "And you're wrong about the flying thing," she said to the girl, "its scary."

"Not really," she responded.

"It scares the crap out of me," I said lightly, "but I'm just not one for heights. Hopefully after this it will be different though." I leaned closer to Riley admiring how once again he was able to get me to open up without him even trying.

Velna-

Velna smiled at the two. "Well I'll leave you two alone." She said standing up. She walked slowly towards the entrance of the cave as Crest landed outside. "Let's get some rest boy." She muttered, he shrunk back into the Amulet and she walked into the cave. She found a empty corner and curled up clutching the amulet.

Riley-

I watched as Velna walked over to a corner, after allowing Crest to shrink back into the amulet. I turned to Ariana.

"Yes, hopefully. That way I'll be able to take you flying without nearly scaring you out of your wits." i laughed.

Ariana

I couldn't surpress the giggle, "you don't nearly scare me out of my wits," I pointed out, "you do scare me out of my wits."

I yawned and leaned against his shoulder again, only barely fighting off the urge to sleep.

Riley-

I felt Ariana yawn against my shoulder and turned my head to look her in the eye.

"Get some sleep. I'm going to bed too." I said gently.

She put up no argument so i picked her up and carried her over to our small, make-shift beds. I laid down next to her, covering her with my wings, and we fell asleep.

Isabella~

I rolled over, curling up against Max's warm chest. He seemed asleep, making small noises like grunts occasionally. No matter how I tried, I couldn't sleep. Sighing, I sat up slightly, kising Max lightly on the cheek. Then I lay back down.

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Valentina~

I stood a little ways back, watching Natan talk to the others and work on the dragon.


**Sorry, I didn't know quite what to post**