Dragon Riders

Azrayel/Crysilla-

Cris jumped up and pulled Ray from his seat. "Then Ray and I will bunk together in the Prince's suite." She pulled him out the door, while Ray waved absently at the others, Taiou and Yoru padded out behind them.

The palace was divided into five floors with several outbuildings. The central building, was designed so that formal duties could be dealt with on the first floor. The second floor was for informal meetings and recreation, the third floor for minor guests. While the fourth floor was for important visitors, the fifth floor was solely for the use of the royal family and their closest friends.

The royal suite was done up in cool greens and blues, the sitting room opened up onto a balcony overlooking the palace grounds, and the east lake. To the left was the entrance to the bathroom and to the right was the bedroom. Sighing Ray went out to the balcony and leaned against it. In the distance he could see the other dragons out by the lake. The stars were coming out and the moon was rising over the mountains.

Cris came up beside Ray and leaned against him. Sighing she asked him. "Why did you do it Ray, we could have beaten the al'aran without the Light, you didn't need to use it."

"We were barely keeping them in the square as it was." Ray shrugged as if the answer was obvious. "The entire country is gathering in Kettia, if I had waited it would have been a massacre. I wouldn't be much of a king if I put my own safety above the lives of my people, now would I?"

Turning, Cris faced him. "As much as you hate it Ray. The truth is we can replace a few soldiers, but we can't replace you."

Exasperated Ray turned to Cris. "I know that Cris, but..." He never finished the sentence because at the moment she slapped him. Rubbing his split lip Ray glanced back at Cris. She glared at him, red eyes gleaming in the dim light. "That, was for not taking me with you when you were banished five years ago."

Cris reached up on tiptoe and cupped his face. "And this, is for finally coming back." She kissed him.

Ari sighed, sitting on the bed. "God. I feel like shit, but in the long run, I'll be fine. You look like shit. We just need to get to bed and get some rest."

Ian nodded, getting up. His legs wobbled, and he stumbled a bit before catching himself.

"Damn, you big baby," Ari said, standing. She clutched her stomach, feeling like she was going to vomit, and put a hand to her sweat-soaked head. She saw that Ian had one eyebrow raised as if to say, And I'm the baby? "Shut up," she growled, sitting back down. She pulled the comforter back and took off her shoes, belt, and weapons before crawlin under. Ian did the same, and before they knew it, they were out like a light.

MARADOMIN


They were getting closer to the city where Azrayel was. Maradomin looked trough the black cloud which he had created, at the barrier of the city.
The woman was tied on his black dragons stomach so that the captain and lieutenant would not see her.

"Where are we now, sergeant?" Shouted the captain
Maradomins face turned red of anger and back to normal at the part where he had been called sergeant. He was starting to get fed up with the captains pompous attitude towards him.

"We are soon at the barrier!" He shouted "When we land I will need the next ten hours for preparations." Turned to his commanders "You need to draw a hexagon around the city on the sand and then you must fill it with blood."

"And why should we do that?" asked the captain sarcastically

"You want to get in undetected, no?" Maradomin asked
"Yes." Answered the captain
Maradomin smiled under his hood. "the you will do as I say, captain."
"Do not look down at me. Moor." The captain snapped
The lieutenant came in the discussion "Stop, your arguing." He commanded
The two men fell silent.

When they got close to the barrier, Mardomin sat on the ground and the commanders went to draw the hexagon.

After nine hours and fifty-five minutes, the two commanders were getting very anxious.

"What in the name of all that is holy, are you doing, sergeant?" asked the captain
Maradomin did not answer.
"Answer me, sergeant!" the captain was getting angry
"Answer me! Now!." He was about to smack maradomin, but before he could, Maradomin was pointing at the city. The hexagon area had been filled with a heavy black fog that seemed to come from the blood.
"This is what a little of blood and shadow magic can do." Maradomin smirked as he stood up."
"The blood will form a heavy fog within the hexagon for the next thirteen hours. We have to be quick."

Ian opened his eyes. Something was wrong, but what? He looked around the room, eyes adjusting to the darkness. What time was it? Certainly not close to dawn...and yet it was so warm, like the sun was right over him.

He struggled to sit up, only to have everything sway and get black. He closed his eyes as he brought his knees up, letting his head fall onto them. Something was definately wrong.

Ari was asleep, motionless. Her concussion had knocked her out. That wasn't good...neither of them were in good shape, and they needed each other...He had to keep her awake, and he needed some kind of attention. What, he didn't know. He'd never felt so ill before.

"Ari," he called, breath ragged and making his voice soft. He cleared his throat and got louder. "Ari. Ari, wake up."

She shifted, moaning. He kept calling her until she finally sat up and opened her eyes. "What? What time is it?"

"I don't know..." he panted. "Ari, something's wrong...I don't know what..."

He closed his eyes as he felt another wave of dizziness pass over him, his body radiating heat, his breath ragged and painful. God...Shyen, get my father. Now.

MARADOMIN

1 hour :

They went to the Barrier and started to undo it.

Hour 4:

They finally got in. Maradomin looked around. "There are guards on that watch tower and just ahead there are three guards. I'll take those guards ahead, you can take the watch tower ones." Maradomin said

"I hope you are not forgetting your place, sergeant." Said the captain
Maradomin looked at him annoyed "I hope you remember whose mission this is. You are here only to see that I will succeed."
"And I shall look that you will." Said the lieutenant "com' on, to the watch tower." He continued

As the commanders disappeared into the shadows, Maradomin walked to the guards "Where is the prince?" He asked. One of his spies turned at him "He is in the palace, master" said one of the three "Shall we take you there?" Asked another.

Maradomin looked at them "No. Those two think that I will kill you. Point the direction and I will find him. You must play dead until the, commanders go by." After that one of you must go to my dragon and bring a woman from there to the palace doors." He commanded "How long will it take form us to get to the castle?" Maradomin asked

"For you it would take about a hour, my sire." Said one of the spies
"Excellent. I shall lead the two so that the travel will take two hours. By that time I will hope that you have brought the woman to the Palace gates." Maradomin looked very serious "If you do not succeed, I will have Laviant kill the bunch of you. Understood?"

"The spies banged their breast plates "Yes Sir!" They shouted as one
"Now play dead." Commanded Maradomin. The spies fell to the ground and as they did maradomin threw blood on them.

This was when the commanders came back.

"let us continue our way." Maradomin said under his hood

Hour 5 starting

"Ian? Ian!" Ari threw the covers off her, sitting in front of Ian. He was sitting up, his arms around his legs, forehead resting on his knees. "Oh, God! Ian, I need you to look at me!" Ari gently forced his head up, keeping ahold of it. Ian's face had become ghostly white, including his lips. His eyes were barely in focus, and his breathe came in pants.

"You....you look....like crap...." Ian gasped, smiling a little.

Tears pricked Ari's eyes. "God damn it, Ian! This is no time for fucking games! I need you to stay with me, okay?"

Ari, are you okay? said Gautier, concerned.

Somethings wrong, Gautier! Ian's not well!

Calm down, Ari. Shyen sent for Ian's father, Thorn. Breathe, dear. It'll be okay.

Ari jumped when the door slammed open, followed by heavy quick footsteps.

"Ian," Thorn boomed. "What's wrong?"

Ian slowly shook his head, putting his head back on his knees.

Thorn sighed. "I'm taking you to the infermary." Thorn said, taking Ian's arm and lifting him up.

Ari climbed off the bed, grasping the bed frame. "I'm coming too."

Thorn looked at Ari, concidering her condition. "Are you sure? Looks like you need some sleep."

"I'm coming," she insisted, gritting her teeth.

Thorn sighed. "Fine, but we're going to have to hurry. I don't think Ian can hold out much longer."

Can i join

**Yes, you can join.**

Ian was losing consciousness rapidly. Thorn and Ari had him responding for a few minutes, then silence. He finally collapsed at the door of the infirmary.

They laid Ian on his back, Ari staying with him as Thorn raced into the medical hall, going for help. Ian trembled, breathing heavily, his heart pounding in his chest. Ari stared at his face, begging him to stay with her, to stay alive.

Shyen hovered outside, crooning worriedly as time seemed to drag on and on. Gautier soon joined her, nudging her comfortingly.

Ian came to for just a moment. He forced his eyes even partially open and saw Ari next to him. Her hand gently brushed coppery red hair from his face, her own face streaked with tears.

He passed out as Thorn finally returned, healers right behind him.

**********

A couple of hours passed, and dawn came. Thorn was sitting with Ari in the foyer of the infirmary, comforting her as she cried every so often. He was surprised that she was genuinely worried about the man.

"He'll be okay," he reassured her once again. "Ian's strong. He's going to make it."

As if on cue, the lead medic entered the room, wiping her hands on a towel. Ari shot to her feet; Thorn had to catch her when she swayed dangerously.

"What's wrong? Is he okay?" Ari demanded, tears forming yet again.

"It's not good. At all," the medic put simply. "He's suffering from blood poisoning. We did catch it early, yes, but there's still a chance he can die." Thorn even swore at the news. She continued nonetheless. "We did get him stable, for now, but he's not going anywhere. Not for a couple weeks. He'll be here for at least half that time."

Ari paused, struggling to maintain control. "What...what is blood poisoning?"

The medic sat down across from them. "It's a very serious condition that is quite common with wounds like his. Blood poisoning is when bacteria or an infection develop in the wound and it spreads into the blood stream. It is treatable, and we do have the treatments here. He has a fair chance, considering we caught it early, but it doesn't mean he'll keep that chance."

Ari nodded. Thorn broke in. "You can save him, though? Right?"

"We will do our best. That I can promise."




**Don't worry, Ian is not going to die; it's just a little plot CJ and I have come up with. And, Lord, we're not ignoring you. This is merely happening before your times. Okay?**

"Can we see him?" Ari asked frantically.

The medic sighed. "Well, that may not be such...." she saw the concern in Ari's eyes, the bags under them from the lack of sleep. She sighed again. "Go ahead. Just please, be quiet."

Ari nodded, running into the room. She found Ian lying on a cot, sleeping. Taking his hand, she knelt by him, laying her forehead next to his body.

"Please," she sobbed. "Please don't die on me. You have to stay with me. You have to!" Ari looked up at his face, moving a little bit of hair from his face. She leaned her face towards his, kissing him softly on the cheek, wiping away the tears she left on him. She lay in bed next to him, placing one arm across his stomach, one arm supporting her head. "I love you," she whispered, and finally dozed off.

*********************

Thorn walked into the room and saw Ari asleep next Ian. He put the blanket he had carried in with him on Ari, placing his hand on Ians' face. "Please get well," he murmured to Ian. "I can't afford to lose you again." Thorn walked out of the room, into the waiting hall.

Thorn thanked the medics once again, then walked out. It was dawn; he was due for guard duty.

Gorton flew past, his broad black mass casting shadows over the still sleeping city. How's the boy?

That boy is my son, Gorton! And he's not doing good. He has blood poisoning.

The giant dragon growled softly. I'm sorry to hear that. Shyen also wants to thank you for helping care for him.

Thorn nodded. Tell her not to mention it. I'd do it anyway.

He continued to walk toward the tower; light was coming quickly, and he could see details in the roads. A few people were up and about. But, there was something eerie. Fog as dark as thunderclouds was roaming the streets and sky within the city.

This isn't natural. Gorton, can you see anything?

The dragon flew higher. Thorn paused, waiting. Finally, the beast answered. It's magic! Someone disabled the barriers!

"Shit!" Thorn turned on his heel and bolted, heading straight for Ray's chambers.

Ciru

Ciru! Otraol's voice was urgent, The barriers have been destroyed!

Ciru ran out to the balcony of the bedroom he was staying in, looking out over the city, seeing the fog rolling over the walls and into the streets. Shadow magic...that means-

Maradomin. We have to warn the others.

Ciru began running for the prince's chambers, if he'd guessed right about Nerad and Kaniy overhearing the incantation, the Dark Knights would be here for Azrayel.

Nerad

He watched Ciru appear on the balcony for a moment, search the street and then disappear. His eyes gleamed with a savage hunger, he'd finally get to kill him. He stopped, "Sergeant, stop a moment." His grin broadened a little, seeing the momentary tension in Maradomin.

The sergeant turned, "I'd like to remind you again that this is my mission. Every second we waste-"

"Not just yours, sergeant. Ours as well. You know our powers, don't you? But this halt doesn't concern that. Kaniy and I will have to pursue the secondary target for the moment, so we'll not be around to watch you. Get to the palace and wait for us there. Do not attempt to storm it on your own - there are stronger riders than you in there, including Ianeil and General Ariadne of the Saviours. You'll wait, and we'll take them together."

The captain stepped back, before Kaniy teleported them a few streets away. The lieutenant didn't seem pleased, "He's not alone, Nerad."

Nerad shrugged, "We already knew that, of course Maradomin wouldn't come without his precious followers. We have our own outside the city, in case that fool decides he has strength of numbers."

"Why leave him alone, though? Surely you don't mean to try for Ianeil and Ciru and leave Azrayel to Maradomin?"

Nerad shot him a sly look, "You're going to find them, but just track them, don't try to kill them without me. I'm going to keep an eye on Maradomin and his thugs. If he tries any shadow magic on me," Nerad's body became translucent, and he began walking back in the general direction of where they'd left Maradomin, "Why, he'll find it's difficult to kill someone who's not even there." He stepped through a wall.

Kaniy paused for a moment, thinking of backing Nerad up, and then shrugged, teleporting another few streets closer to the palace. There seemed to be a stronger barrier around the palace, preventing his magic from getting him too close. No doubt it was only one against magic, and he'd be able to walk through it when he reached it.

*sweet, this looks good^_^*

Azrayel/Crysilla-

Something was happening in the palace, Ray glanced upwards glaring through the cavern's ceiling. Yoru and Taiou were swooping around the underground lake. The vast source of water that had allowed the desert to build Kettia. The water shone like azure in the faint light given off by the dreamstone walls. Crystal pillars rose from the lake to the ceiling, and branches off the chamber were wide enough for a dragon to fly through.

It was too bad there was a problem, Ray had hoped he could pay full tribute tonight. Sighing, he squatted on the cliff and gently place the flowers by the tablet. It was clearly a memorial stone, on it was carved the names of his mother and aunts, Vanora, Kellara, Sana, and Rietta.

Straitening he whistled sharply calling Taiou and Yoru back from the far reaches of the cavern. The twins landed gracefully shifting even as they touched the ground. Yoru tilted his head upwards eyes narrowing as he sensed the disturbance above. "Something is wrong."

Taiou shook his head irritably, his pinned back and a snarl showed wickedly sharp teeth, even in wolf form.
"And whatever it is it makes my skin crawl. We should be careful, which means," He slid a long suffering glance at Ray and Yoru, who grinned, unrepentant. "No hare brained schemes and no running off."

Ray nodded and drew his scimitars, as he dashed up the hidden stairway, that led from his rooms down to the lake. Taiou and Yoru fell in behind with the ease of practice. Alone in the desert, the trio had quickly learned to fight as one.

It took ten minutes, but he found his rooms perfectly fine Cris was already stringing her silver bow, the arrows she shot were enchanted. She had received the ravensedge weapon the same day that Ray had been gifted his scimitars.

A pounding at the door alerted them, ready to fight Cris pulled the doors open with wind and Ciru almost fell into the room. He raised an eyebrow at the stairwell entrance that Ray had forgotten to close. Then looked at the two of them. "Good you're still here. The barrier got knocked down by a Dark Knight working shadow magic. We need to find the others. And Ray, try not to do anything stupid.

Irritated Ray muttered, "Why does everyone I'm going to do something stupid."

Cris and Ciru looked at him as if the answer was obvious and he had the grace to blush. "Right, the pillar. Let's go." The five of them ran down the halls. Leaving the room deserted.

Ari woke up, feeling tense. Tense? No, she wasn't tense. Gautier was tense, irratable.

Gautier, what's wrong?

Hm? Oh, nothing. You just fall back asleep; everything's fine.

No, it isn't. You're a horrible lyer, Gautier. Now tell me what's going on.

Gautier sighed. The barrier's been broken by shadow magic.

Shadow magic?! Ari got up as quickly as she could without disturbing Ian. Tell everyone I'm coming!

No Ari. You aren't fit to fight just yet. Stay with Ian.

Hell no! I'm not letting anyone in the castle. Ari ran as fast as she could without stumbling to her room, putting her boots, belt, and weapons on her. She ran out of the room, heading for the entrance of the castle.

If it's because of Ian, stay with him. If anyone gets past you, then your reassured that no one will kill him.

Ari skidded to a halt, breathing hard. Damn you, Gautier. As much as I hate to admit it, you're right. Make sure no one gets inside the castle. Ari turned tail, running towards Ian's room. There she waited, weapon out, at the ready.

MARADOMIN:

6 hour

Maradomin had got to the gate and had killed the guards, but he was quite angry as his plans were now altered. But things were about to get better.
"Master, Maradomin!" Maradomin looked at the point where the sound came from, he saw one of his spies there. He had the woman. "Exelent!" Maradomin was now joyful again.
"Master." said the spy "The prince has changed possittion."
Maradomin looked at him "Where?" the spy pointed the direction. Maradomin gave the man a bag of gold and then dissapeared with the woman.

As Maradomin moved foward he saw two young men and one young woman running to or from something. He drew his sword.
Is it him? He asked
YES The sword answerred
Maradomin teleported just ahed of them. As the three people came running at him Maradomin came out of the shadows. They seemed suprised to see him.
"Prince Azrayel?" Maradomin asked.

Two of them went infront of one "Ray stay back!" one of them shouthed.
Maradomin pulled the woman out of the shadows.
"Prince. You come here or she dies." Maradomin commanded
The two in front of the prince tried to stop the prince but the prince got them to let him through.

"What do you want. Dark Knight?" Asked Ray
"You." Maradomin answered "Give me your hand son." Commanded Maradomin
The prince looked hesitant. "Now!" Maradomin shouthed impatiently
The prince grasped his own scimitar and came at Maradomin.
STOP
The prince fell to the ground. He could not take the swords voice in.

"What is that?" He asked as he crawled on the ground
The two friends were now coming at Maradomin, but Maradomin put his sword on the princes troath.
"It is power" He answerred
Maradomin took the sword and a bottle. He cut a wound on the princes hand. He filled the bottle.

"Prince I have what I need for now. I would want to work with you some more in the future."
He smircked "I will make sure that we will meet again."

In a split second Maradomin teleported behind one of the friends (ciru) and stabbed him
"Shaddow curse!" the spot that he had stabbed turned black.

Maradomin telported to the Prince once again.
"I shall make a Shadow copy of your body. I shall trick my commanders to think I killed you. So you must keep a low profile." He said sternly
"Then he looked at The only man standing "Take them Away or I'll kill all of you." H commanded

The woman looked at him angry
"I just might have saved your prince's life."
The man swiftly took his friends and ran.
This is when the commanders came to Maradomin

"Maradomin!" Shouthed the captain
"Yes?"
"Did we not tell you to wait us by the gates?" He asked angrily
"Yes but I have been pre-occubied." He pointed at the princes body on the ground
"Y-You killed him?" The captain looked shocked
"Who is that?" The lieutenat pointed at the woman. The lieutenat seemed more calm

"Oh. She is my hostage. The mission is done, we must leave."
The captain looked at him coldly "I didn't get to kill my secondary target."

"I have no problems with leaving you here, captain. I shall take my leave." He teleported to his dragon

There are some men around.
"Who's men?"
Our side.
"Dark knights?"
Yes

So the captain took some men with him. he thought.

"Let us take our leave." He said

The dragon got onto it's wings

*one issue, Cris is a girl. And Ray uses a pair of scimitars as his weapons of choice.*

Azrayel/Crysilla-

"Dammit." Ray tore part of his shirt and wrapped it around his palm. "Just great, the one thing we didn't need. Someone finds the Grave Sword, and gets some of my blood."

Cris helped Ray pick Ciru up and the two headed towards the infirmary. Taiou and Yoru, glanced back as they followed Ray. She glanced over at Ray, and winced. His face was completely blank but his eyes were like violet embers. Cris recognized that look, he was holding on to his temper by a thread. Duck, wasn't going to quite cover the explosion to come.

She reached out with her mind and felt for Ren. "Tell the others a Dark Knight showed up Ren. He stabbed Ciru and took Ray's blood before faking their deaths. We'll all meet up at the infirmary."

"Alright. Gautier said Ari, Ian, and Thorn, are already there. Ian's got blood poisoning."

Watching Ray Cris shifted Ciru's weight. "What are we going to do now?"

Ray shrugged, "What they least expect. If they want to use Grave, then we'll have to find the other weapons."

Cris got a bad feeling. "You mean find the other artifacts."

"Of the four weapons Ashara used Cris, the Grave Sword was the most dangerous. It had a mind of it's own and a craving for blood. The pillar was designed to protect. While the other three could be used in battle. If the Spear and Amulet are used in concert, they can restrain the sword and maybe even destroy it."

She felt the blood drain from her face. "But they could be anywhere. They could be at the bottom of the ocean for all we know."

Ray grimaced, as they entered the infirmary. He spotted Ari and Thorn sitting by Ian's bed. "I know Cris believe me. That sinking feeling you've got is entirely shared by me. But we don't really have many other options. Our best bet is to dig up all the research my family has on them. They've been tracking them for five generations, there must be something to show for it."