Dragon Riders

Ari was tense. Dark Knights? At the meeting? How the hell did they find out? And why were they really here?

"Same to you, Captain," she snarled, trying hard not to draw her sword in the process.

They took their seats across the room, and the meeting began, very awkwardly.

*****

Ian blinked. Had Ciru just asked for help? What was going on? He touched Shyen's mind. Talk to Otraol. Find out what's up. Why did Ciru ask me for help?

Ciru's here?!

With Nerad and Kaniy. Expect trouble.

He laughed when the dragon swore before completely the assignment. Ian turned to Thorn. "We need to get inside. There's no way of knowing what's going to happen."

"Right."

They joined the meeting quietly and took a seat on either side of the door.

*Righto, sorry had a few bags of kittens that I had to introduce to a river. I mean....what?*

Viedna

Roslyn and Alexander coasted between dunes and sandstone rocks, searching for an sign of the Athanasian army. Scouts had reported them to be only a few days distant, but with the Saviours ambush, Ian's defection and Azrayel's coronation, it was hardly surprising that the attack had been postponed. No doubt the Athanasian forces were repositioning for a more advantageous campaign; and it was the duty of the Saviour Garrison to patrol the desert skies until the main force was readied more fully.

"How did a diplomat survive out here for so long?" shouted Garrel as they passed a pack of jackals feeding on some unidentifiable corpse.

"This diplomat was lucky enough to own a dragon, who did his hunting for him." Viedna laughed, " boredom was ever a more dangerous threat than brigands or hunger."

Owned *by* a dragon, more aptly, Roslyn noted.
Alexander let out a mental chuckle, as a thin plume of smoke puffed from his nose.

Viedna pointed at another plume of smoke, thicker and darker, like an ugly stain against the sky, that drifted past a nearby dune. Silently, the two dragons streaked in closer to the ground. Although they sent up small clouds of sand, they were nearly invisible to whatever had caused the smoke in this abandoned part of the desert.


Garrel


Burnt boats, riven bodies; a massacre.

Garrel ordered the two dragons to land so that their riders might walk among the dead. As he paced between the bodies he trawled with his senses, ciphering through imprints left by the dead through their blood that had leached into the sand.

"Desert men by the looks of it," noted Viedna, breaking the silence. "A small tribe; no more than five or six families."

This, and more, was becoming clear to Garrel through the half of him he kept hidden. "Two small tribes, one of three families, another of four, travelling downriver to the newly lit beacon."
Garrel leant down and picked up a leather puch, with a tribal marking stitched into it. "I doubt they will be missed by their brethren in the city, they were near enough to renegades."

He took a few steps back and tried to get an appraising look at the scene. Three dozen of the desert folk lay dead alongside their burnt barges. There were basic signs of looting, but some foodstuffs and almost all of the household goods had been left behind. Weapons and meat had been taken, nothing more.

Viedna was examining the wounds of several small children. Though his face was covered and his stance unrevealing, revulsion leapt from his very being. "This is not the work of blades or arrows, probably teeth or claws."

"Dragon?" asked Garrel, unsurprised.

"Maybe, but the wounds aren't clean cuts; the weapons were serrated and I know no dragon with serrated claws. The wounds are smaller too; and with a gentler arc."

"Not a dragon then?" Garrel ventured, moving up beside Viedna.

"I think not. There are tracks, but they lead back to the water. I see no marks in the sand where another vessel might have been berthed."

"Pirates then? Swimming ashore from a larger craft? They are a long way from the trade routes if they are this far inland. And what purpose is served by such mindless slaughter?"

Garrel paused in his questioning; holding up his hand to bar Viedna's response. He listened to General Ariadne's telepathic command.

"Dark Knights have arrived at the new Desert Prince's stronghold. They claim they are envoys but could easily be assassins or a vanguard. We are to join them quickly, lest the dark knights prove treacherous."

"We as in the Saviours, the army?" Viedna asked; evidently picturing another battle, like the one he had been on the edge of so recently.

"No. We as it you and I. The tribesmen do not need a show of force to force a distrust of the Saviours. Come, and you'd best not spread word of this massacre until we've had time to tell the General. It's her prerogative."

The pair mounted their dragons and took flight for the Desert Capital.

*One issue Rubric, tribes are bigger then that usually they're around two dozen families on average, an entire clan is made up of anywhere from 2000 to 5000 people.*

name- Crysilla (Cris)
age- 16
gender- female
race- elf (technically she's a sprite, a type of lesser elf)
rank- none as of yet
appearance- http://photobucket.com/image/silver%20h ... l.jpg?o=13
noticeable features- the tats on her shoulders
power- Wind user
side- Desert Riders
background- Like Ray she is from the Desert tribes, in fact they grew up together and she is, or rather was, his fiancee. It was an arranged marriage that their fathers decided and was voided when Ray was banished. Cris is a tomboy, but she's had a huge crush on Ray since they were kids, and it hasn't faded at all with time apart. Also, it doesn't hurt that if she married him she'd be princess. Her dragon Ren, was the dragon of a dark knight, who fought against Hanik during the coup, her rider died and Ren escaped to the desert intending to die as well, but instead she bonded with Cris.

dragon- Ren
gender- female
color- dark green-blue http://photobucket.com/image/green%20dr ... n.jpg?o=56

--------------

Crysilla-

Cris hummed as she ran along the northern lake, Ren coasted beside her. "Ray's back. Ray's back. He back, back, back!"

Laughing, Ren landed beside her when she stopped. "Girl. You've got it bad."

Glaring she put her hands on her hips. "So. What's your point?"

"Nothing, just that it's been a long time since you saw him and... What's that?" Ren broke off and the pair looked up at the sky. A pair of dragons and their riders had just passed through the barrier. "They must have permission from someone or they wouldn't have been able to get through. Still lets go see what's up."

Cris got onto Ren's back and the two took off, she stopped in front of the strange dragon's hovering in the air. Cris had an arrow fitted to her longbow, just in case things got messy. "Who are you. And by what right do you enter Kettia?"

Azrayel-

Ray watched Nerad through veiled eyes, he didn't change his posture at all. He knew when someone underestimated him. So much the better if this man thought him a fool, he was the one who would pay the price.

Yoru shifted, a thin film of ice had formed under him, a tell that he was nervous and angry, the air shimmered around Taiou, and there were scorch marks under him. "Alliance my left claw." Yoru muttered. "He's trying to intimidate us."

Taiou's lip pulled back in a silent snarl as he watched the room. The clan chiefs were still calm, but the tribes were showing nervousness, though not much. "What's annoying is that it's working. At least to certain degree."

"Hush you two I have an idea." Ray fingered the pendant around his neck. It was made of Dreamstone which amplified magical power. He looked over at Nerad and leaned forward letting the mask of naivete fall away. He laced his voice with a compulsion of TRUTH. "That's all well and good, but what happens if we don't ally with you?"

Nerad glared at him and shouted so everyone in the room could hear. "Then you will be destroyed like those Damali fools. Utterly and completely." His eyes widened and he slapped a hand over his mouth, but too late, the words still rang in the chambers.

Glaring he took a step towards Ray. "You little rat. You put a spell on me."

Snarling Taiou and Yoru leaped over the table. Nerad jumped back as Yoru barked, and the place where he had been standing froze over, in ice so cold that smoke came off it. Ray smiled his teeth bared. "Yes. I did, but I only compelled you to speak the absolute truth."

*Sorry Sylverdawn. The tribes were meant to be small though, insignificant in the greater scheme. It shouldn't matter for the future. Hope I don't represent Crys too inaccurately*

Viedna

Best not tell her that Alexander followed in my slipstream. They might not take your immunity to their defences so lightly.

Aye

Viedna turned to the unknown rider and replied to her question "By right of the invitation granted to our general, Ariadne of the Saviours. We are an extension of her guard, deemed neccesary by the presence of the Dark Knights.This is Captain Garrel and I am Viedna" The words rolled smoothly from a tongue used to greying the truth.

The rider seemed unsure for a moment, before collecting herself for a response. "I'm Crissilla, but you can call me Cris. I'll escort you to your general, she's in the High Prince's presence now, as would be these Dark Knights."

As they began to walk through the plazas adorned with thick green vegetation, Viedna found his curiosity piqued. "Your dragon is remarkabely similar to Ren, a mount of a Dark Knight I once knew, one who I counted friend. How did she come to be in your company?"

"That friend of yours is dead, if you did not know. Ren fled Athanasia after the coup and found me here in the desert."

That would make two Dragon riders loyal to the desert tribes, Viedna noted silently to Roslyn.

He cast a knowing look to Garrel. Viedna was surprised to see his companion looking thoroughly uncomfortable; but passed it off as a reaction to the remarkable city and the unexpected presence of another Dragon rider.

Two and counting, Roslyn replied.

The three continued walking.

Garrel

Garrel continued walking with Viedna and Cryssila, toward what could only be the central meeting place of Kettia.

Inside, he seethed.

She's a sprite! Were she older, more aware of her senses, she would undoubtedly have sensed my heritage... as it is, staying in her presence is too great a risk.

Do nothing rash, Alexander counselled. Your ancestry is a lesser threat here, unless the antipathy held toward earth spirits is as strong among the tribesmen as it is amongst the sprites.

Garrel remained silent as Viedna and Cryssila continued talking. He was amazed at the way his masked companion could deflect questions and segue between topics so rapidly; keeping the focus on Azrayel's recent coronation and it's political ramifications. This suited Garrel perfectly, as he had no wish to be the focus of Cryssila's attention.

The sprite raised her hand, interrupting Viedna's next question. "We will find your general and my Prince up there," she said, pointing toward the gathering place.

*someone post! *

Ian and Thorn rose to their feet, hands going to their swords at almost the same time. They had the door blocked; if anything was tried, there was no escape.

Unless I falter again... Ian thought sourly as his shoulder began to ache. Shyen, get ready for battle. Nerad and his company are here for trouble.

Nerad was furious; I could see it in his gaze, sense it in his very being. He wanted to kill Ray, to torture him for the manipulation, and we would have to stop him.

"Dad, get ready, but don't let him touch you," I warned.

**It's been seven days since the last post. WHERE ARE YOU PEOPLE?!?**

**Sorry ><**

Ciru

He could see that Nerad was on the verge of going for one of them, and put a hand on his shoulder to stop him. It fell through the man almost a second later. "Captain, I'm warning you. Acting on your own impulses is not sanctioned by the Dark Knights at this point."

Nerad rounded on him with a snarl, "And who are you to decide, acting commander? The only reason you're where you are is because that renegade," he pointed at Ianeil, "Promoted you! What does that say about you?"

Ciru turned to Kaniy, "Lieutenant, you know the captain better than I. Could you and he step outside and talk until he's calmed down?"

The lieutenant nodded, as concerned that Nerad would do something rash as Ciru was. A soft word to Nerad and the two of them left the room.

Ciru immediately turned to the rest of them, "I don't have much time, they'll wise up to this in a minute. Firstly, Ian, I can't lead the Dark Knights, although no doubt Shyen and Otraol have already had this conversation. I can't offer you comprehensive information concerning the Dark Knights, as soon as I turn rogue they'll change their plans. But Prince, realise that these two are not the men to cross. My power and Ianeil's power are nothing against them, although I can't speak for anyone else here. That's really why they're assigned to me, the King doesn't trust me. I can't set a foot out of line with Nerad and Kaniy around."

*finally*

Azrayel-

Ari glanced over at Ray and shook her head. "You just did something either really clever, or really stupid. I'm not sure which."

Standing Ray stretched and looked around the chamber. The chiefs were unsurprised, after watching Ray grow up, they had expected something like this. "It had to be done. They couldn't be allowed to get the upper hand."

Tadan nodded before looking at Ray. "You bring change like the wind son of Ain. I don't envy you, for all that you wear the Crown of Flames."

"Regardless. You've just made a very dangerous enemy Ray." Ian strode to the center of the room alongside his father. "Nerad is a sadist, and a vengeful man. You wounded his pride, he'll want you dead."

Taiou and Yoru slipped around the table and nudged Ray's hands. Looking at Ian, Ray flashed him a bleak smile. "I stopped caring weather I lived or died a long time ago."

Opening his mouth, Ciru was cut off when Viedna and Garrel slipped into the hall through one of the side entrances, a girl with long silver hair beside them. The first thhing Ray noticed was the tattoos on her shoulders. Laughing Yoru glanced from Ray to Cris,"Didn't you call her the bane of your existence."

Ian exchanged a glance with Ari; she was tense, as well. Could she sense the oncoming danger, like Ian and Thorn did? Perhaps.

Shyen, watch Nerad and Kaniy.

What's up?

We have trouble. Tell me everything that they do.

Right.

Ian looked at Ray, turning so that he could see both the Prince and the door. If anything happened, Ian would not miss it. He looked at Ciru after a moment.

"You're sure of all this? Do you really want to follow in my footsteps? As your friend, I can say 'go ahead!' But as officers, we have many things to consider. What will happen, for instance? I mean, look at me. Hanik nearly killed me when I turned, and I'm still weaken from it. We can't afford to lose you, either, Ciru."

Ian glanced at the door. Nerad and Kaniy were awfully quiet. What were they up to?

Viedna


It did not take Viedna long to figure out long to work out what was going on. It did, however, take him a long moment to wonder why the right course of action had not yet been taken.

"Madame General," he bowed to Ariadne, "Ian" and to Ian. "And this," he smiled beneath the mask, "is the lost recruit I was to track for you?"

Azrayel looked at him dumbly for a second, "No, I am High Prince Azrayel, and you are...?"

"I am Viedna, I arrived at my General's request. I am wondering why Ciru has not yet taken what can be the only possible action open."

Ian looked to him quizically. The two had not had contact in the months preceding the coup, and even before that Viedna's duties had separated him from most of the Dark Knights. "That only option being...?

"We passed the Dark Knight company on the way in...it is not a fight that would leave Kettia unscathed, and there is very little point in picking a battle when you have abandoned Kettia's strongest defence. The only way to avoid a fight would be to send Ciru back with his captor-comrades, let him pacify them." Bowing,

Viedna went to stand by the wall with Garrel, and Crys. There was no need to cramp the style of their commanders. Having made the choice available, he would leave it to them to decide.

*Sorry, I was having trouble working out the logistics of an action post, and chickened out *

Azrayel / Crysilla-

"Although that course might be wisest. The barrier is far from Kettia's strongest defence. It's simply the most convenient." Ray stood up and nodded towards the back of the room. The other riders joined him at the end of the hall, out of earshot of the chiefs.

The moment they reached the pillar Cris turned and scowled at him. "While we were coming in I happened to get a look at those Dark Knight's face. Let me guess, you used Command on them didn't you?" She rolled her eyes giving Ray a long suffering look. "Honestly, one of these days you'll use Command on someone who won't like it. And they'll actually succeed at killing you, instead of just trying. Think about it how many people have tried to kill you because you used your power on them for one thing or another?"

Shrugging sheepishly Ray gave his old friend a lop sided grin. "Don't know. Don't really care. Stopped counting after thirty."

Ari mouthed the word thirty, brows raised in surprise. Ian shook his head wryly. "It's sad to see one so young so cynical."

Ray opened his mouth to retort when a man staggered through one of the side doors. He was clearly of the desert tribe, his shirt was a bloody mess and there were deep jagged slash marks down his chest, like some beast had pinned him down. There was a wild look to his eyes and he held his dagger like his life depended on it. His warriors armbad was green with four jagged bronze lines slashing across it. The crest of the Canyon Wilders.

He glanced around the room gulping for air. "Al'aran. Coming towards the east gate. Our tribe's warriors stayed behind to fight them off. Their heading towards the city." Exhausted he sank to the floor.

Swearing a blue streak, Ray felt the blood drain from his face. The elders got up and rolled him over, they shook their heads looking up. "No good, he's already gone. I'm surprised he made it this far with al'aran venom in him.

Garrel glanced around the hall. In an instanst chiefs who had been at each others throats a moment ago, were discussing how to deal with the common threat. Working together like old friends.

"Just what we need." Ray murmured sarcastically. "An entire pack of those things leaving the desert depths."

"What are Al'aran?" Ari asked, fingering her sword.

Shaking his head Ray glanced at them. Anger flashing in purple eyes. "They're beasts. The scourge of the desert. Al'aran look like lions, but they have a horn on their head, and wings. They may be smaller then a dragon, but not by much. They have all the cunning of one too. Their claws are coated in a deadly venom, one deep scratch and you're as good as gone. And they'll eat anything."

Cris' lips were tight as she shifted on her feet. "And when Ray says anything. He means anything."

Ciru

He frowned, standing up, "If these Al'aran aren't welcome through the city, they shouldn't be able to get through the barrier, should they? Your guards told us that non-natives needed permission to enter. But I'll lend my help in protecting the city if you're in threat." He paused, thinking on Viedna's words for a moment before looking back up, "Harlequin is right, though. The best course of action for me is to return to Athanasia with my...companions. Perhaps if I take word of an alliance - truth or no - it'll stop Hanik from attacking you straight away. And it might put Nerad and Kaniy off trying to kill you for the time being, highness." He finished with a slight nod to Azrayel.

Nerad

"Come on, Kaniy, help me out here. That squirming little rat," Nerad's face twisted into a scowl as he pointed at the double doors behind them, "Toyed with my mind to no end in there, and endangered our whole mission as well! To the point where Ciru had to make me leave!"

Kaniy stared blank-faced back at his captain, "Nerad, as much as I understand your anger, it afflicts me just as much, if I teleported you in there to kill the prince, what would it achieve? Nothing. We would both just die-"

"Not likely. We could teleport back out."

"Let me finish, sir. Even if we escaped, any chance of keeping these fools out of our hair in the Damali invasion would be ruined. They'd probably come straight back at us. We'd crush them, of course, but they might wound us enough to halt the invasion in its tracks. Besides, we can't teleport in anyway."

"Why?"

"Did you not see who just went in? That was Harlequin - no powers will work in that room right now. We'll bide our time, Nerad, and take him when he can't be defended. Then he'll be all yours to...experiment on."

The captain gave him a stomach-turning grin, then frowned, "Wait. Kaniy, are we not meant to be watching Ciru?"

Kaniy's eyes widened for a moment, realising, then he scowled and turned back to the doors, knocking sharply at it before simply pushing them open.

Ian watched Kaniy and Nerad return, both with simple scowls on their face. He could sense their longing to attack, but they probably thought about all their options. If they did attack, they would probably be killed. If they left, they could have another shot at a reasonable date.

Ciru turned toward them as they drew next to him. "We must return to Athanasia, now. The alliance is sealed."

Ian wanted to smile, but knew that would give it away. He met Ari's gaze and saw her struggling to maintain her composure as well.

Even as Nerad began to respond, a strange sound echoed outside the halls. Wings flapped, Shyen and the other dragons roared, and people were beginning to panic. Ian ran out onto the balcony to see the al'aran attacking.

"Shit," he snarled, turning back to the others as he rigidly drew his sword; it was still hard to manuever, thanks to Hanik's blade... Hopefully it wouldn't handicap him too much. "We're under attack!"



**Just trying to make it more fun, keep it alive. I noticed that if you add in some battle scenes every few pages, the storybook lasts longer.**

Azrayel / Crysilla-

Ray drew his scimitars as he shot through the doors. Taiou and Yoru were right behind him shifting to their dragon forms the moment they cleared the door. The others weren't far behind him and Ian. Most of the al'aran were white, about half the size of dragons, their wings seemed delicate, and the horns were as black as night.

Cris scidded to a halt behind him. "They're all female. Where's the leader?"

Shaking his head he glanced back at her. "The females wouldn't leave the desert depths on their own, they were driven here." He glanced over at the others. "Get rid of as many females as you can. But if you spot one that's twice as big, and black with a white horn. That's the male, he's the biggest threat. Don't get cut, and I'd suggest trying to hook up with your dragons."

Viedna was fingering his weapons. "Why? They take care of themselves."

Scowling Ray turned as one of the al'aran noticed them it leaped towards them. Cris sent a vaccum of air cutting it in half. "Al'aran are usually solitary beasts. When they gather in packs its because they're hunting something big. Just so you know, when I said they'll eat anything that included dragons."

Ray took the stairs two at a time and headed towards the main road. Cris followed him, guarding his back. In the sky, fire and ice flashed as Taiou and Yoru fought the al'aran in the air.