Autumn's Beginning, Autumn's Breeze

Ariana

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.

When I woke the next time it was because I felt myself being picked up, my eyes shot open and I saw Riley's smiling face and relaxed.

Max

"Can't sleep love?" I asked as Bella laid back down next to me.

She shook her head against my chest, "no."

"Want to?"

"Yes."

Using my orignal vamprie talent I willed her to sleep, just as I willed everybody to keep away from looking at us and she fell asleep almost instantly.

I on the other hand, didn't sleep and was the first to rouse everybody so we could get moving again.

Riley-

I smiled down at Ariana as she blinked and looked up at me.

"Sorry, love, but it's time we were heading out."

I put Ariana back down and turned to see Val going over to wake Natan. I walked over, Ariana trailing sleepily behind.

"Be careful waking him up," i warned.

"Why?" they both asked.

"He tried to heal a dragon last night-no, don't ask-and ended up losing consciousness. I think he was just exhausted, though."

"Yes, he was telling me something about healing last night before we left..." Val mumbled. She bent down and shook Natan's shoulder gently. If he could sleep through all the racket the rest of our group was making, i didn't think he was going to wake up now.

Despite my prediction, Natan opened his eyes and blinked once. He caught sight of me and blinked again, confusion spreading across his face. He blinked again and the look was gone.

"Good Lord, are we leaving already?" he asked weakly.

"'Fraid so, soldier." I said. "Max woke the rest of us up at crack-of-dawn. I'm surprised you slept through it all."

He tried to stand but ended up only getting half-way before collapsing again. He looked up at the rest of us.

"I can't travel yet. I still need more rest."

"Well, we'll get one of us to carry you." I said, smiling.

His eyes opened wide. "Er, no, that...won't be happening anytime soon."

He struggled to stand again and succeeded, stumbling a bit but managing to stay upright. Val went to his aid, putting her arm under his and around his back. He nodded gratefully.

"The rest of us are about done packing and will be ready to travel again in a few minutes." i announced, pulling Ariana with me as i turned, leaving Val and Natan alone to get situated. I smiled down at Ariana as we walked.

Ariana

I clung to Riley as we walked, using him to support me. I was still dead tired and wanted more than anything to sleep.

"We're not flying are we?" I prayed out loud.

"Sorry to say but we are, at least you and me."

I shuddered, "why?"

"You know who we're looking for."

"But fly? I shuddered again.

Isabella~

Max woke me up just as the sun came over the horizon. Normally, I would've killed someone for this, but when you're woken up with a kiss by someone you thought was a dream, you tend to be alright with things.

I packed up what little Max and I had unpacked, while he woke everyone else up. My brother slept soundly, and I did not blame him.

Once everyone was awake, we departed. We walked in pairs, Riley with Ariana, Nat with Val, Velna with Davnix, and myself with Max. (sorry if I forgot anyone there). It was funny, the way we would each have our own discussions, while occasionally calling something out to someone else in the group.

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Valentina~

I didn't sleep well at all. I was too worried about Natan, having fallen unconcious and all. As soon as it seemed acceptable, I rushed to wake him.

So stubborn, I thought as Natan struggled to stand. I ended up supporting him, which he was quite greatful for. Once no one was wathcing him, he sat back down.

"Are you sure you're ready to travel?" I asked, packing up his blanket and looking at him.

"No, but there is no way in hell I'm having someone carry me," he replied stubbornly. I rolled my eyes, throwing his pack over my shoulder. I walked over to him, kissing him lighlty.

"Not even me?" he shook his head no. "Okay then..." I sighed, lifting him up nonchalantly with both arms.

"I said no!"

"You said you wouldn't have it. You aren't having it, it is being forced upon you," I grinned, carrying him out of the cave, knowing he was greatful for the help.

Trent-

Trent flew over the group watching carefully for anyone ahead of them that looked like trouble. He glanced down at Velna smiling when he saw her walking with Davinx he would keep her safe. He flew a little ahead keeping his eyes open.


Velna-


Velna walked next to Davinx in silence for a while. She dind't know how she always ended up walking next to him but she did. Crest insisted on asking Natan if he would like him to carry him sense the reason for his tiredness was healing Crest. Velna had said that she would ask him for Crest but Crest insisted on creating a mind connection and doing so himself.

"Do you know what dragon Natan healed last night, I'm afraid I was sound asleep." Davinx smiled. Velna chewed on her lip. Riley had kept it quiet, she was sure Davinx would do the same.

"It...it was my guardian dragon, he was hurt in the fight back at your town." She said quietly.

Natan-

I growled. "I don't care if it's being forced upon me by an army of demons, let me down!"

She shook her head and smiled.

I suddenly snapped my fingers together and muttered a quick word and i was teleported next to her instead. I hated teleporting, seeing as it was my weak spot, but i was NOT going to be carried around, no matter HOW weak i was.

As soon as i had reappeared next to her, i stumbled and fell to my knees. I slowly and painfully got to my feet and resurrected a shield around myself so she couldn't try to pick me up again. I started forward again, smiling mischievously at Val.

"And so what happens should you fall behind?" she asked.

"I'll just have to teleport to catch up."

"I thought that was your weak spot."

"Doesn't mean i can't do it."i retorted.


Davnix-

I blinked. "A dragon...?"

She nodded.

"And it's your guardian?"

She nodded again.

"Shesh, you're awfully lucky!"

Velna-

Velna shook her head, "Not always," She mumbled,

"What was that?" He asked,

"It isn't always a lucky thing at all." She replied pulling Trent's coat tighter around her shoulders.

"And how is that, I mean dragons aren't a creature you see every day and they are very majestic creatures. How would you not be lucky?" He smiled, "You even have a brother that is half dragon."

"But that is it, anyone would love to get their hands on Crest, but..." Velna shook her head, why was she even talking this much, she never did. But she trusted him, she should shouldn't she?

Davnix-

"But what?" i asked, trying to gently coax more information out of her. She had me curious.

I glanced at the amulet she wore around her neck, wondering how in the world a dragon could fit in suck a tiny space.

Magic, was my conclusion.

Speaking of magic...I glanced over at Natan to see him walking on his own with Val hovering close by. I knew Natan to be stubborn, but i didn't think he would be this stubborn, especially when this weak.

Even as i thought that, he stumbled and nearly fell again. Val tried to get closer to help him, but stopped about a foot away. It was then the sun glinted off something almost invisible surrounding Natan. The stubborn idiot had put a shield around himself. I almost laughed.

I looked again at Velna, waiting for her answer...if she would give me one.

Velna-

"But with out me, Crest will stay in the amulet and not come out." She replied,

"That is a good thing though, isn't it?" He asked,

"Yes, and no. That makes it all the more dangerous. People who know what the amulet can do, more so then I do, can use it against my will, but as long as I'm with it I can't do anything." She said looking down at the path they followed. "Could you possibly not say anything to the others, please."

She looked up at him and bit the inside of her lip. She didn't know the others well, heck she didn't know him well but something made her trust him. Maybe it was a bad thing, maybe a good thing, but the ones with majic might now about the amulet, she still didn't know enough about it. Trent knew more then her and refused to tell her, but she had excepted that.

Davnix-

I smiled. "Of course. I see why you are cautious."

She smiled ever so slightly. "Thank you."

I grinned back. "No problem."

Riley-

I smiled at Ariana. "Afraid so, love. We'll be able to see a lot more from above."

"But...fly?"

I laughed. "Yes, fly. But not yet. Once we get closer."

Ariana

Only half relived I sighed, "you're going to have to catch me first," I teased.

"I've already caught you though."

"You only think you have," I continued to tease.

"Oh really?"

Valentina~

"Okay, Natan, you can take down your sheild. I promise I won't pick you up again," I raised my right hand in the motion of a vow. Giving me a wary look, he took down the sheild. I rushed to his side, putting my arm around him.

"What are you doing?"

"Being fully prepared to catch you should you become weak...and I like having my arm around you," I answered simply, blushign a little.

*Tis going to be short...*

Riley-

I laughed. "Oh really?"

She laughed too. "Yep. You only think you've caught me, but I'm not really caught yet."

I wrapped my arms and wings around her. "How about now?"


Natan-

I was tempted to step away from Val, in suspicion, caution, and confusion. But my instincts told me to stay, so I did.

"Well...thank you." I said, nodding gratefully again.

Ariana

I giggled, "still only think you do."

"How so?"

I broke free of his embrace and stood a few inches out of his reach. "See?"