Ariadne paced back and forth in the Meeting Hall, furious. Her battalion's captains looked to the ground, cowering. No one had ever made her this mad before, and no one ever wanted it to happen again. It was like letting the devil wreak havoc on the earth, except in the form of an angel. Azrayel and the King of Damali sat in front of everyone, next to another fireplace that had been lit so they could once again sit in comfort. They were both shocked at Ari's rage, but made no attempt to silence it.
"How in the hell could they have been so prepared?! We caught them off gaurd and they still met us with full force!" she cursed to the high heavens, using every curse in almost every language she knew. Even though hours had passed by since the battle, she wasn't done being angry at everything and everyone that stepped in her path.
Calm down, dear, soothed Gautier from his Quarters. I know you're furious, but it won't help anything!
Full force, Gautier! Ari repeated. Full force!!
Yes, I know, but we each had to fall back for the sake of our battalions. If we-- Gautier was interrupted by shouting men that soon followed something crashing in the lawn next to the Meeting Hall.
Gautier, to me! In a matter of seconds, Ariadne had lept out of the window and onto Gautier's back, quickly falling to the earth despite one of her arms being inside a sling. He snapped open his wings just in time, so they didn't crash on the ground. Ariadne jumped off of Gautier's back and to the dragoness that had crashed on the ground. She was breathing heavily, like she had flown hard and vigourously, trying to get away from something.
What is her name? asked Ari, but before Gautier could answer, she saw the man lying four feet away from his dragon. "Ianiel," she breathed. "What in Gods name is he doing here?! Who the hell let him in?!" she stalked over to him and grabbed him by the collar of his shirt, pulling him to her face. Before she could go into a full-blown rant and rage, she could barely see his bruised up face and a dark stain on his right shoulder and the side of his head.
It's Shyen, said Gautier. She said that she and Ianeil turned rogue and that we were the only ones that she could think of who could help them.
"Damn it all," Ari muttered. "Fine." She took off her sling and put Ian's left arm around her shoulder, lifting him up. Her knees buckled and she almost fell over. He's like a dead weight! Gautier, after taking us back into the Meeting Hall, help Shyen into the Dragon's Quarters. If anyone tries to give her any crap, bite their tongues off.
Will do, Gautier said. He helped Ari and Ianeil onto his back and lifted them up to the window of the Meeting Hall. After they got off, Gautier went back down to help Shyen.
Everyone stared in awe and disbelief.
"I will not have him in my castle!" the King of Damali roared, standing up. His face turned red with rage and his hands shook furiously. Azrayel just stared in shock.
"He's turned rogue, my lord. He won't do any harm."
"He plotted against me! He tried attacking my kingdom! Gaurds!"
"Sire, please! If I said that I'd take care of him, and you wouldn't have to worry about anything, would he be able to stay?"
The king's temper rose, but then finally cooled down. He sat back down, slumped in his chair. He rubbed his temples. "We'll figure this all out tomorrow. Are you sure you can keep him in check until then?"
"Sire, look at him. Do you really think he'd cause any harm?"
The king wouldn't look at either of them, just waved them away.
Ariadne walked slowly and quietly out of the Meeting Hall. No one offered to help her on her trek to her quarters.
After she instructed a maid to get an extra cot, towels, rags, sheets, ointment, hot water, and gauze, she entered her room with much effort.
"Bastard. You've caused me so much damn trouble," she told him, even though she knew he couldn't hear her, setting him on the floor against the wall. She took off her tunic and discovered that he had bled on her. She threw the tunic in the corner and took off her breeches, heading for the wardrobe.
"I'm sorry," Ian breathed painfully.
Ariadne gasped and ran to her wardrobe, hiding behind one of the doors.
"You idiot," she snapped, angry. She suddenly and surprisingly felt compassion towards him. "You didn't want to obey orders," she whispered sadly. "They were going to kill everyone in Damali, and you were afraid. Afraid for the women, children, civilians. Everyone."
"...How?" he gasped. His eyes were closed. He tried to reposition himself on the wall, but the only outcome was the searing pain that shot up his right shoulder. He gripped it tightly, wishing the pain would stop.
"I can read people's fears. Even if they don't know that they're afraid, I still know."
Just then, someone knocked on the door. "Hold on," Ari called, getting a nightgown from the wardrobe. After she put it on and opened the door, she found everything waiting there in front of her room. The king must've told the maids not to communicate with her for bringing a Dark Knight under their roof, but no one wanted to disobey her orders; she was scary when she was upset.
Once she brought in all of the supplies, which proved to be very painful herself because of her already strained shoulder, set up the cot, and poured almost all of the hot water in the tub, she sat Ian down on the cot and took his tunic off, ready to dress his wound. He leaned heavily on her for he was still mainly unconscious. She dipped a rag into the bucket of hot water and lightly put it on his cut. Ianeil opened his eyes and stiffled a yelp, grabbing anything that was close by so he could grip onto it. Ariadne blushed and winced, for he had unconciously grabbed her waist a bit too tight. She looked down at him and noticed that even though he had many battle scars, his body was still almost perfect. She sat on the cot next to him and took the rag to his face, lifting his chin to see better. He had long dark lashes, and a handsome face. Her mind wandered, wondering what it would be like to kiss him, to have her first kiss with him. Her face went beet red at the thought.
No, no, no, no, no! I can't think of that! It's not right! I can't show any signs of weakness! He was the General of the Dark Knights, for heaven's sake!!
'Was' is the key word, there, dear, cooed Gautier.
*how's that? *
Last edited by C.J. Mustang on Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:55 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Sorry, I don't have any leeches on my speed dial.
~Jacob Black
**I'm going to be away from tomorrow to the eleventh, so could someone keep Ciru alive?**
Ciru
It was around an hour later, and the message still hadn't been taken to the king. Ciru was beginning to get impatient, but wouldn't let it show for now, "Sir? Might I ask why neither of you has left to report to the king?"
The guard smiled as though this whole affair was deliberate, "What's the rush? Besides, the king's out of the city. Don't ask where, they don't tell us these things."
"Fine." Ciru turned from the guard, fighting back the urge to crush him to death.
Then Otraol's head swiveled slowly to regard him, apparently not wanting the other two dragons to notice him. They were pacing alongside their riders, and showed no sign of noticing the thought-speak that passed between the two of them, Ianeil's turned rogue.
Ciru froze, his eye locking with Otraol's, Impossible. There has to be some kind of a mistake. Is there another-
No. Ianeil's turned rogue, Ciru. Accept it. You were wrong about him, about where his loyalties lay. So this frees us to-
The Dark Knight dropped down onto a boulder, massaging his forehead, It doesn't free us to do anything, Otraol. We have responsibilities here, whether Ian chose to forsake them or not.
The dragon drew back a little, alarmed, Ciru, how can you say that? The general was a good man! You don't even know why he turned!
Ciru raised his visor a little, continuing to glare at Otraol, Does it matter that much to you?
Hanik ordered him to destroy everything. Instead of just taking the city, to take everything worth fighting for. Crops, herds. Families. Women and children, Ciru. Are you telling me you could follow that order? Otraol was virtually shouting at him, anger seething from him.
Ciru let out a sigh, torn. He understood why the general had turned rogue, but still there were things that should have been done first, things that only Ianeil could have done. But perhaps people would turn anyway. After all, with the general gone...
"Something wrong, Ciru?"
He turned to see Captain Nerad regarding him, sending a slight chill through him. Nerad was probably the most feared of the captains, and rightly so - he enjoyed nothing more than torture. Nerad's power was to make anything he touched intangible, making him a far more effective torturer than any of them. He could put things inside someone's body, or take things out. Ciru shook his head, trying to appear calm, "Nothing overly important. The general's turned rogue, but that won't interfere with our plans at all."
Nerad smiled, the same sickly grin that Ciru himself used to throw people off balance. Naturally it wasn't as disturbing, owing to Ciru's scars, but when one knew Nerad personally, and had seen him put burning coals inside people without a second thought, it was more unnerving than any scar.
And you said it wouldn't be a good idea to turn rogue? Otraol's voice was a little odd, a bizarre mixture of sarcasm and fear.
Calm down, Otraol. Nerad might think something's up, but if I deal with this matter this flippantly, nothing will go wrong.
But Hanik can't possibly trust us! The dragon whined, After all, it was Ian who promoted us, and to a position where we're likely to be called on to assume his role! How can any of them trust us? And look who we've got for company, Nerad and Kaniy. The last two people a possible rogue would want watching them.
It was true. In addition to Nerad's power, and his rather disturbing use of it, Lieutenant Kaniy was the perfect tracker, able to teleport almost anywhere instantaneously. With the two of them watching him, Ciru had no chance of escaping. He couldn't even use his power effectively on them, Narad could just ghost out of it, and Kaniy could free himself with even less effort. If he'd been Ianeil, this would have been easier. He could have caused a schism in the ranks of the Dark Knights, and taken those who weren't so loyal to Hanik with him. But Ciru didn't have Ianeil's charisma, regardless of what they thought of Hanik, they wouldn't follow him as far as they would follow Ian.
**For the record, I'm intending on using Nerad as a principle character from here, since I want Ciru changing sides. I just think it'd be better to have a more dangerous villain than Hanik (since no one has full control over him)**
He had decided to live forever or die in the attempt. - Yossarian, Catch-22
Wide-eyed stupid.
If you're gonna rule the world, you've gotta get up early! - Joel S. Dickens
"Well that went swimmingly." Yoru paced along the corridor, his sarcasm cut off when Ray and Taiou chimed together. "Shut up Yoru,"
Ray had finished treating his injuries, and splinted his broken wrist. He had gone to grab a scroll out of his saddle bags. He strode down the hall until he came to the room where Ari was treating Ian. Taiou stopped him before he could knock. "You're sure about this."
Nodding, Ray realised the brothers were more nervous then they let on. "Positive. Don't worry, I'll take some precautions. Just because I'm reckless doesn't mean I don't use my head when I have to."
Ari answered when he knocked. She looked tired and more than a little confused. "Azrayel, can this wait?"
Ray shook his head. "No it can't. In fact, if Ian really has turned rogue, you should both hear this." Nodding Ari let him in. Ian was already conscious and by the stubborn set in his jaw he had forced himself to sit up. Surprise flickered across his face when he saw Ray, and the circlet he was wearing.
"So, what is it?" Ari sat down in one of the chairs.
"No time for politics now." Ray thought. "Well to start. Did you two know that there were originally three rider groups?"
Ian listened carefully and Ari leaned forward. "There was?"
Nodding, Ray continued. "The Dark Knights and Saviours have remained largely unchanged throughout the ages. But it's the third group that concerns us right now, the Desert Riders. As the name suggests they were riders of the desert tribes. But a long time ago, no one knows exactly when, they vanished."
Ray held up the scroll in his hand. "This scroll is called the Lost History. It details the final days of the Desert Riders. The were not defeated in combat or wiped out by some powerful force. What finally brought them low was sickness. A plague to be specific." Taiou and Yoru growled, not because they remembered those times, but fear of plague ran bone deep in most dragons.
"It wasn't a plague that struck the riders, but the dragons. One by one, the desert's dragons fell ill. And once they got sick, death was all but guaranteed. In a last ditch effort to save the dragons, the Desert Riders took all the unhatched dragon eggs in the desert. And hid them away, to be brought out again when the plague passed."
He could sense their exitement now, Ian and Ari were beginning to see where he was going with this. "But by the time the plague had finally gone, all those who knew about the eggs were long dead. Eventually the eggs came to be thought of as Sacred Stones by the tribes. Because they shone like gems. The Desert Riders eggs have remained untouched for centuries, waiting for their riders to return."
Ian rubbed his head, wincing a little when the wound in his shoulder pulled taut. "But how do you know that's true? It could just be a made up fairy tail."
"Because that's where Yoru and Taiou came from isn't it?" Ari jumped up and began pacing again, exitement giving her new energy. "You hatched one of the so called Sacred Stones, didn't you Ray."
Ray smiled, scratching Taiou's and Yoru's ears. "Well. Something like that."
I stared at the young dragons. Even now, they still fascinated me. And to think: there were more out there, waiting to hatch.
"If the Desert Riders and Saviours formed an alliance and found these Sacred Stones, think of the power they would have..." I mused as I closed my eyes. A wave of dizziness swept over me again, making me lean back against the wall. "It'd be enough to challenge Hanik..."
"Damn right it would!" Ari exclaimed, still pacing. I heard her footsteps, heavy and fast.
This night had gotten very interesting. First, I turned rogue and was nearly killed. Ari took me in and was tending to my wounds before Ray entered, delivering this news. I opened my eyes, but remained still.
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." Timothy 4:14 KJV
Having knocked him to the ground, Garrel extended a hand to help Viedna up.
"Well done, few of my own protege's could have tested me as you have."
Taking Garrel's hand Viedna nodded slightly, unsure if this was praise or condescension. In the Dark Knights, to lose a duel inevitabely ended in ridicule.
Garrel continued, "I've been swordsmaster for the saviour for seven years, and I can say with certainty that you've the bladework to match that of any of our lower officer, if you match the other requirements."
Viedna bowed slightly, aware of the intended praise, "Thank you master."
Garrel's gaze grew distant for a moment as he stared off toward a tower.
"What is it?"
"When you were duelling Simon I received word that General Ianeil was brought, unconscious, by his dragon, who claimed that they were defecting. General Ariadne and that desert recruit wearing the yellow crown have been cloistered up for a while now."
It is a good thing you wear that mask Viedna, otherwise he would be shocked to see your jaw drop so far.
He ignored Roslyn's remark, "General Ianeil, the *leader* of the Dark Knights? This is madness, surely some surety has been provided, some reason they were not cast into prison. Such a defection is unlikely in the..."
Garrel was smiling at him. Without even hearing the swordsmaster speak, Viedna anticipated the response, "Roslyn and I are not like them. We were the King's diplomats for years before the regicide, serving him far longer than the usurper Hanik. We were The Harlequin."
The title was lost on Garrel and he let it show. Viedna did not bother explaining it. None of the Saviours recognised the title, few even of the Dark Knights would know of it.
"Come Viedna, enough of this." Garrel retorted. "This blade of yours, you use it well but it is archaic. Come and let me show you some blades I've had brought in from the west. They'll be much more to your liking"
Viedna followed Garrel into the barracks.
We still have to talk about Ariadne's offer you know Later he replied silently
So you're going to kill a god. Sure. But what happens next?
**We need more characters...We have too many dropping out.
Name: Al'thorn (Thorn)
Age: looks about 30
Gender: Male
Creature: Elf
Rank(if Dragon Rider): retired (and reported as killed in action) Lt. Colonel
Hair: brownish red
Eyes: deep amber
Any other noticable features (scars, cut off fingers, mowhawk, etc.): has a series of scars across body, apparently caused by a dragon crash
Power: telekenetic
Side: Desert Riders
Background: He was originally a part of the Dark Knights, until Hanik overthrew the king and killed off the officers, seven years ago. Thorn was one of the very few that survived the epic battle, but still almost lost his life. He was taken into the desert city, where he made a full recovery and now serves as a mercenary. He is also Ianeil's father.
Dragon: Gorton, who is jet black.
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." Timothy 4:14 KJV
"Ray, when to you have to be at that meeting?" asked Ari, still pacing. She started to chew on her thumbnail.
"Um, tomorrow, I think."
"Good. I'm going to accompany you, if you don't mind."
"That's fine." Ray turned to Ian. "Are you coming, too?"
"Yes, of course--"
"Hell no! You aren't going anywhere! You're going to stay right here! There is no way you're coming along! This doesn't concern you any more. You turned rogue, remember?"
"Yes, I did turn rogue, but that doesn't mean I'm still not a Dragon Rider."
"So what? Besides, your wounds aren't fully healed--"
"And you did tell the king that you would keep an eye on me, did you not?"
"How the hell did you hear that? You were half dead when I said that!"
"I may have been half dead, but that doesn't mean I can't hear things. Or see things, for that matter."
Ari stopped pacing as Ian gave a sly smile. She glared at him, her face turning red, her eyes becoming more iced.
Ray looked at the two of them, puzzled. "Am I missing something, here?"
"No, your not." Ari snapped, stalking over to Ian. She shoved him down on the cot by his bad arm, which was now bandaged. Even though pain shot up his shoulder, it didn't keep him from laughing a little bit. "Bastard. Shut up and go to bed."
Ari led Azrayel and his dragons to the door, all of them stepping out in the hall for a moment.
Ari sighed. "We're...both coming with you." she said through gritted teeth.
Ray nodded. "I'll inform the king tonight that we'll be leaving at dawn. I don't think it'll be much of a problem convincing the king to let Ian tag along since he wants him out of his castle."
Ari nodded. "Get some rest, Ray. Trust me, we all need it."
Ray nodded in return and headed to his room as Ari went back inside hers. As she passed Ian on his cot, he asked, "Hey, are there any clean clothes I can change into?"
Ari rubbed her temples. "Unless you want to wear a women's nightgown, then no. I highly doubt anyone in my batallion will lend you any clothes. You can still clean up, though. There's a tub half full of warm water over there." She pointed towards the other end of her room. "Use it if you want; I'm going to bed."
Sorry, I don't have any leeches on my speed dial.
~Jacob Black
I chuckled, grimacing when my shoulder burned. "Goodnight, then, miss priss."
She plopped into the bed and turned her back to me, huffing. "Night."
In the candle light, I could see my vest and tunic laying on the floor nearby. The shirt was ruined; blood had soaked heavily into the right portions, covering my whole chest and back on that side. There was no way to save it, but my vest...I picked it up and looked at it. A single tear in the back and another in the shoulder, from Hanik's sword, could be easily sewn shut. And the article was polished leather; I could wipe the blood off of it with a damp cloth.
I stiffly sat up, trying not to gasp at the pain of moving. I clenched my teeth as I sat up all the way, gripping the sides of the cot as dizziness threatened to make me faint. I carefully turned my gaze on the pan of warm water and a clean rag, and lifted and moved them with my telekenisis.
I was silent as I wiped the blood and dirt off my chest, arm, and face. The water burned the cuts on my head, but I would have to deal with it. At least I didn't have to worry about my shoulder; it was already cleaned and bandaged, securely enough to not require a sling. That was good, but it would still take days for the wound to seal, and weeks for me to heal completely.
I turned my attention to my vest as weariness started to knock me out. A few minutes was all I would be able to spare...I would pass out at this rate. But I did finish cleaning the vest before I had to lay down.
I sighed as I looked one last time at Ari. She was fast asleep and had rolled onto her other side, and I could see her face. She was so young, so pretty, with her long white-blonde hair. Beautiful yet tempermental.
Nonetheless, I thought as I fell asleep, I owe you my life, Ari. And, somehow, I will repay you.
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." Timothy 4:14 KJV
I was sitting in the common room of the base, next to the fire. On the table next to me were letters and reports concerning my duties, but beneath them were notices about Ianeil. I'd taken note of everything: when he became a Lieutenant, when he moved up to Captain, so on and so forth, until the day he became General of the Dark Knights. I would never be more proud than that day.
Someone knocked on the door, breaking my train of though. "Colonel Thorn! You have a new order!"
I stood and opened the door for the messenger, a teenage boy. I had telekenisis, but I preferred not to use it. "What is it, son?"
"You're to help guard at the meeting tomorrow. The one with General Ariadne, Lord Azrayel, and the others."
I nodded. "Thank you for telling me. Go home and get some rest."
"Oh! And I know how you keep up with news on General Ianeil, sir. Rumor has it he's turned rogue! People all over are saying he finally lost his temper with King Hanik and trashed the throne room! With Hanik inside! Well, they're also saying Ianeil was killed in the process, but I don't believe it..."
I didn't hear the rest of his babbling. My mind memorized what was the most unnerving: Ianeil turned rogue and was killed in the process.
I pretended to hear the last of his ranting before waving him away. Once I closed the door, I put my forehead against it. Gods above, watch over Ian. Keep my son alive. Please.
"Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery." Timothy 4:14 KJV
Rank(if Dragon Rider): Captain (referred to as swordmaster or blademaster as that's a more respected position)
Hair: long dark brown
Eyes: green
Any other noticable features (scars, cut off fingers, mowhawk, etc.): when he shifts into his elemental form, his skin darkens and his ears become pointed like an elf's.
Power: Shapeshift between human and earth-spirit. Spirit form has rock hard, brown, skin and elfin ears, human form is....human and obviously draws less attention. Affinity with natural elements (can track well, knows herbs, affinity with animals etc).
Side: Saviours
Background: Adopted from a Damalian orphanage by the Saviours, Garrel has been brought up in dragon rider society. Nothing is known about his heritage, but from his powers it is obvious he has spirit-ancestory. The few Saviours who tutored him as a child are dead, so the only one who knows of his nature is Ariadne (because it was his duty to tell her, as she is the general). Gets sick and tired of the Saviours when they act naively and impractically, but prefers that to the Dark Knights brutal efficiency.
Dragon: Alexander, who is bronze coloured.
So you're going to kill a god. Sure. But what happens next?
Garrel liked this renegade, despite his cagey responses. Viedna showed a healthy wariness of the camp that had until recently been that of his enemy.
"Your fighting style belongs in another century viedna, You fight in the manner that riders used to be trained, rider verse rider in the air. Your blade matches the style."
As Garrel led him into the barracks, Viedna responded, "considering we have just entered a war of dragon-riders, I don't see the problem with this."
"Ha you might not now and against nine in every ten combatants it wouldn't be a problem, but anyone who can identify the style can counter it without too much effort." Garrel flung a cloth from a table and sighed at the swords beneath, picking one up. "My apprentice was meant to receive this blade, but he died six months ago in battle with pirates."
"I'm sorry for your loss." Viedna replied.
Garrel knew the response was a formality, but this did not annoy him in the least. Six months of emotional condolences from riders who did not even know his apprentice had dulled that. He passed the blade to this masked stranger.
"It's a beauty," Viedna remarked, sighting along the blade with an experienced eye. He flipped it a few times in his hand. "The balance is perfect, but I'm not used to a hand-guard. My gloves are usually protection enough."
Garrel laughed, "Well the blade was not designed for a man who walks around dressed in several layers of clothing, showing nought but his eyes to judge him by." He looked at the way Viedna held the blade and knew he had made the right decision, "Keep both blades for now, use your own until I've trained you properly with this new one."
"Thank you....master" Viedna responded, testing the blade again in his hands.
So you're going to kill a god. Sure. But what happens next?
*agh! So much happened while my internet was down!*
Azrayel-
Ray was in his own chambers after talking with Damali's King. He wasn't smart but he cared about his people, in these times he just wasn't willing to trust a Dark Knight, rogue or no. Shivering he went and sat down by the hearth with Yoru and Taiou.
Taiou tilted his head, his orange gold coat glowing brightly in the firelight. "Was it wise, to tell them about the eggs before we know whether or not they're our allies?"
Laughing quietly Ray smiled. "Which is exactly why, when I told them about the eggs, I didn't tell them where to find them. And I'm the only one still living who knows where they lie."
"Sneaky." Yoru chuckled, his mind dancing with amusement. Tired the trio grabbed what sleep they could.
Eventually dawn came, and with it a sense of tension hung in the air. Stretching, Ray entered the courtyard to find Ari and Ian in the saddle, arguing again. Taiou and Yoru shifted once they left the castle, the twins were smaller then Gautier and Shyen, but they weren't even a year old.
The pair set off for Kettia, following the Beacon, that shone even in daylight. They took the back pass through the canyons rather then take to the open desert. It took a bit longer but eventually they reached a place where the air shimmered. Ian and Ari slowed their dragons but Ray just urged Taiou forward, the group passed through the barrier like sliding through water.
Ray twisted on Taiou's back, watching Ian's jaw drop. Ari wasn't much better at containing her shock. "It's... It's..." Ray fell back to fly by them.
Amused he smiled wryly. "Green?"
Numbly Ari nodded, staring at the city they hadn't been able to see before. The entire city was covered in plantlife, a shock after flying through the desert. Trees and flowers grew all over in groves, or even small forests. Three small lakes stood at the edge of the town connected by a network of streams. Even the houses were green, they were covered in ivy and wild flowers. What stone showed was pure, white marble. A spiraling white tower rose in the center of the city and it was there that the beacon was lit.
Laughing Ray stretched his arms. "Take a good a look, and know that rou are one of only a handfull of outsiders to set eyes on Kettia since it was built. Kettia, the "Garden City." The pride of the desert."
Yoru dove toward the meadows beside the eastern lake, his wings causing the water to arc, before landing in the fields. Grinning, Ray urged Taiou to follow him, he couldn't help being happy, after five years, he was home.
*
