Dragon Riders

*I didn't mean to kill him.. Ofcourse Hanik is strong he is the evil king and every thin =P . He was sure but in stories that doesent help you too much.**

Maradomin:

He was suprised about the attack that hanik had made.

So the old king wasn't finished yet.... hmm

**We could probably keep Hanik alive a little longer...make a giant, climatic battle with all the leaders and such for an end. What do you say?**

*Yeah, Ayumi, I like that idea. We should leave Hanik weakened, though, so everyone can recoopurate and get their strength back. What do you guys think?*

Fresh tears spilled from Ari's watering eyes. She put her hand under Ian's chin and lifted it up, forcing him to look at her. "Of course! Why in the world would you think otherwise, you idiot? And anyways, what's there to forgive? You protected me as long as you could, and when you weren't there, I protected myself! I'm not some fragile little girl, broken by just the touch of a finger--" Ian forced his head away, but Ari forced it back. "I can take care of myself, just like you can take care of yourself," she said. "Even so, it doesn't mean I don't want you by my side, protecting me. Just like I'd protect you--"

Ian yanked his head away from her hand, looking down and digging his hands in his hair. "I failed you..." he murmured, placing his elbows on his knees.

Ari tensed. It took all her strength not to sock him right in the mouth. She stood and repositioned herself so she was right in front of him. She moved his hands out of the way and grabbed his face in her own, stroking his cheeks with the pads of her thumbs. More tears pooled in her eyes as she looked straight into his. "You. Did. Not. Fail. Me. Goddammit, why can't you see that?" she said through clenched teeth. "You did everything you could to protect me, and do you see my lying in a pool of blood? No. Do you see a sword through my heart, or an arrow stuck in my back? No. You sent Shyen to me when I couldn't walk on my own. You tried fighting your way through Hanik's soldiers, risking your life, to save me. I couldn't ask for anything more."

He watched her for a moment, trying to find an excuse, a comeback. Nothing got past his lips but short breath.

She was sincere as she looked at him, the rain soaking her completely. She had been crying, too, he could see, but that only hurt him more. Seeing her tears was like putting a stake in his heart, ripping him to shreds.

"Okay?" she finally whispered, stroking his cheek tenderly as another tear rolled down it.

"I understand, Ari," he finally answered, voice soft, "but that doesn't make it all right. To come after you, I abandoned my father..more or less. My father, to keep Masset entertained while I searched for you, was stabbed and may lose his life." He blinked, stubbornly wiping the tears away. "I...I don't know how to handle that..."

He continued, before she could interject. "I may just be losing my nerve, finally giving in to the stress of warfare... I've seen so much in the past few days and weeks... It may just be taking its toll on me..."

Ian hoped that was all it was. Finally letting go and giving in, he pulled Ari into a warm embrace and held her, praying for everything running through his mind: Shyen and Ari's protection, Thorn's life, and Hanik's death.

********

Thorn sat still, not strong enough to move. Wait. Was he sitting, or standing? Or was he laying down? He couldn't tell. Nothing made sense...just blinding light and...nothing.

Thorn! a voice called.

He looked around. There was no one.

Thorn! Please, answer me!

"H-hello?" He choked. Speaking hurt. Breathing hurt more. He finally held his breath altogether, and the light brightened.

Thorn, don't stop breathing! Stay with us. Stay with me... The voice was going away, disappearing. He tried to locate it, but for what? He tried to inhale, but couldn't. What the hell was going on?

"Help me," he gasped, collapsing in his nothingness. "Somebody...I don't understand..."

Thorn...

A shockwave, like a giant gust, hit him in the light. It knocked the wind out of him, somehow pulling him to his feet. What the hell? Again, the gust, and he caught it in his mouth, his nose, his chest, his lungs. It burned, but he could feel the breath. It was trying to heal him, to give him power.

Thorn.

Again, the odd wind. He took it in, gritting his teeth against the pain. "You can't give up. Breathe, damn it. Breathe for Ian. Stay for Ian. Don't give up!" he told himself as it lasted. The struggle drug on and on, lasting forever.

Thorn!

Finally, Thorn broke through and breathed again. Everything went black.




**My bad. I didn't mean for it to be so long. Oops. lol **

Maradomin:

He looked at Vanis who was changing his form again, for thr third time that night.

Maradomin was fighting with the royal guard.

He looked out of a window and saw some of the saviour men runing away.

What? Are we loosing.

But that didn't seem to be the situation. Those running were just some of the dragon riders, the soldiers were still fighting.

He sighed. The saviours were cowards.

He turned to the royal guard.

"This is enough!" He shouthed.

"You are mine!" He shouthed

"Now. Attack." Flan and Velna who had just come from the staircase sent spells and arrows upon the royal guard. When laviant and Georgius attackd them at the flank. Maradomin chuckled.

He took his sword put it up in the air, chanted a few words. He hit the sword on the ground.

From the place where he had hit the sword the ground cracled.

I hope that their ready outside. He thinked

And truly groups of Velna's and Maradomin's Mages were on their positions outside the palace.

From the place where the sword was a patern of figures started crowding the floor. The figures were magical. The shadow magic was filling the area of the spell. It tickled. It hurt. It was.

"Darkness of the other realm, join us in this fight. Let us defeat our enemy. Shadows join us and you will be rewarded."

Maradomin almost fell to the ground. He hadn't guessed how much magic that spell would take out of him.

But it had worked. Dark figures started flowing out of the shadows everywhere. The army of shadow puppets.

Name: Montiel (goes by Monty)
Age: seventeen
Gender: female
Creature: Elf-hybrid, is searching for parents-including what species they were....
Hair: curly, half long-half short on one side black red, with bright orange and silver streaks
Eyes: sapphire and silver
Any other noticeable features: has auburn wings, dark dots over both eyebrows, and ring tats on her fingers
Power: flies very naturally, can heal a little using potions-or is that even a power, just a skill?
Side: she's treachery with wings...she started out as a Dark Knight, spying and whatnot, but now she's swayed a bit to help the Saviors-and that's apt to change-she'll do whatever is the most convenient for her at the moment....
Background: grew up on a farm, treated as a slave; not the most trusting of people...she had a very hard life as a child, obviously, and eventually escaped when she was twelve, once she learned to fly. From then, she wandered, searching for a past, for a meaning in life, etc, but couldn't really 'find herself' so to speak. She met a captain in the Dark Knights, and he hired her for espionage, and as soon as her third mission for the DK was over, she met a Savior Private that she couldn't stop thinking about...and then he figures out she's a spy...

Ari accepted Ian's warm embrace, burying her face into his chest. Finally giving in to the stress of warfare...he'd said.

Ari looked up at Ian, who was looking straight ahead. She kissed his jaw and sighed. "Everything will play out, and it'll be fine. You'll see." She looked straight in front of her, resting her head on his chest. "Y'know, after this, I think I'm going to find someone else to take my place. Maybe Vanis might want to..." she trailed off, deep in thought.

Ian looked down at Ari. "You'd really want to give up your position?" he asked, astonished. He could feel her nod her head.

"Yes," she sighed. "I didn't act like a general should, back in Athanasia. I think warfare's taking its toll on me, too..."

Are you serious, Ari? Gautier asked.

Yes. Aren't you tired of killing? Because I know I am. Don't you just want to live in a big house, with room to breathe? Room to fly whenever you want, not worrying about people coming to try and kill you?

Of course! But...We've been fighting for so long....

Who says we're going to stop fighting? We're going to be fighting for the rest of our lives, Gautier. There's no doubt about that. Everyone is fighting until the day they die. I just don't want to kill anymore.

Ian thought about her words, about their actions, and his thoughts. So similar, yet so condemning. Could they leave now, resigning and passing their positions on? Could they do it? Or were they still needed in the field?

We are only needed until Hanik is dead, Shyen crooned in Ian's mind.

I know that, but how long until that takes place? How long will it take to bring Hanik down? And then, what would the army do, once they were free?

She couldn't answer that question. He knew she was as puzzled as he was.

He kissed Ari on the forehead, rubbing her back. At least he was calmer, now. His tears were dried. He could think again. What do you say we give it a rest for now? Let's worry about the present rather than the future, as unclear as it is.

I concur.

He sighed as he finally looked at Ari. They were both soaking wet. "Let's go inside. We don't need to get sick; we're in bad enough shape as it is."

Ari nodded. "Okay. I think our room is still open. Maybe we can get one of the maids to light a fire in there."

They stood and walked back to the door which led to the roof, walking the almost empty hallways peacefully. Ari asked one of the maids that passing if she could start a fire in their fireplace, and she eagerly agreed, seeing what kind of shape Ian and Ari were both in.

Once they finally entered their room, there was already a fire lit and two cups of steaming hot coco on the little table next to the fireplace, alon with a pair of ultra comfy chairs.

The fire was warm; as soon as he opened the door, he could feel it. Ian unbuttoned his vest, removing the cold, dripping leather and laying it on the floor next to the fireplace. He then wiped water off his face and squeezed water out of his horsetail.

He avoided Ari's gaze. He was still tormented by the sight of her bruises and burns. He was still shaken by her screams and tears.

Ian, you are a great man and all, but, damn! Learn to forgive yourself! The past is passed! Get over it! Shyen growled.

How?

Well, for starters, you could actually help the girl, rather than standing around moping!

He considered it for a while. He was still as he thought. Shyen had a point...a good one at that. And it was better than doing nothing; it would help get his mind of his father and the night.

"Wait here." He walked passed Ari, back through the door, and strode down the hall. He finally ran into a maid about halfway to the corner. "Excuse me, miss. Would it be too much to ask a favor?"

"No, sir. What do you need?"

"I need water, linens, medicine for burns, and some extra clothes. Some for myself and General Ariadne."

She nodded, bowed, and headed away. He returned to the room to wait.

Ian returned to the room, and shortly after, so did a maid, carrying medical supplies and a fresh set of clothes for him and Ari.

Ari stood by the fire, squeezing out wet her hair in the flames. The water didn't quench the fire, however; even though she was soaking, there wasn't enough water in her hair to do any damage to the flames.

Ian seperated the medical supplies, and without looking at her, said, "Ari, take off your shirt."

Ari spun around, her face beet red. She had been standing by the flames, so Ian didn't know if it was from the fire or his comment. Most likely from both. "Excuse me?"

Ian smiled. "I need to check you for burns. Do you mind?" he asked, holding up a tube of burn ointment.

Ari stood up straighter. "I can do my front, thank you very much. You can do my back. Now turn around," she ordered. She may have had strong feelings for him, but she definitely wasn't ready for him to look at her without...well, you know.

Ian did as he was told, as Ari did as she was told. Desperate to get out of her soaking clothes, Ari took off her breeches also, wrapping the dry, clean nightgown she found in the clothes that were brought to them partially around her waist and up over her chest. She sat backwards in one of the chairs, holding the nightgown up with one hand. "Okay, you can turn back around," she said, her chin held high.

Vanis:

Seeing Maradomin’s elite, as well as his army of shadows, descending on the royal guard, Vanis raised one hand and made a chopping gesture. At this, close to half the guard turned on their fellows, cutting their way free of the fighting and pulling back past Vanis. They grappled with shadows, a few of them falling, before Vanis called out to Maradomin, “Call of your pets, sergeant. These men are with us.” The shadows retreated from Vanis’ troops, who continued falling back towards the doors.

Those soldiers still loyal to Hanik began fighting with renewed vigour, the madness affecting most of the Dark Knights taking hold of them as they fought to reach their treacherous brothers.

Maradomin's shadow army was powerful in the fear they would normally cause, and also in their otherworldly strength, but they were no match for the insanity they were facing, eventually dissolving backwards away from the guard. The Knights were taking heavy casualties, but they were inflicting more, and it was looking like they'd win out if something wasn't done about them. Vanis' eyes narrowed, We've underestimated them.

Magic swept through him in his one instant of distraction, sending him sprawling. He rolled, sword vanishing into its sheath just as he regained his feet, now crouched on all fours as his form blurred and grew. Third time today, now. It's a good thing I haven't used this in a while.

He launched himself forward even as he changed, one outstretched foreleg colliding with Hanik and sending him flying. He hit the wall with a cracking noise and slid down it, unconscious, but not dead. Vanis drew himself up to full height, only possible because of the fact that the roof had been destroyed by Gautier. He turned on the royal guard, who were already retreating, and encouraged their withdrawal with a sheet of flame.

He looked down to Maradomin, We need to pull out. We can't win this battle, and I doubt we'll even be able to kill Hanik this time around. We've done enough damage. His wings spread and he propelled himself into the air, Show my men and I the way back to your camp, or wherever the Saviours currently hold their headquarters.

Maradomin:

He cried out in frustration. Did Hanik surrvive? AGAIN!

Damn IT all.

HE turned at Hanik's soldiers, he commanded his shadow troops.


"You will not get your price if they stand."

One of the shadow figures desended before Maradomin "I- Am shorhhy." The voice was cold and ghostly, cutting off with a seriesd of hhh in the middle.

"W-hee can not whin them htish way."

Maradomin looked in anger "Is there an other way?" He asked


"Yehs. "

"What is it?"

The shadow figure looked as though it was smiling. "Haunthing. Haunthing."

Maradomin looked shocked, haunting. "But that requiers a lot of power. I would be driving them to maddnes. No you would. But It need a lot of magic. I do not know if I have it anymore."

The figure shock it's head and pointed at the flying Vanis "Him. He is powerful. Usehhh."

Maradomin Beckoned Vanis down to him and asked him to borrow him some power.

Vanis asked him for what, "A little spell." Maradomin chuckled

Maradomin Now gathered all the shadowy figures around him, the fight was going on with Vanis's soldiers and the royal guard. He started chanting. The figures chanted with him, it grew, it grew. Soon Maradomins mages outside of the castle chanted. They stompped the ground as they chanted. The sound was something that made the blood stopp.


"Ivernta Moronoa Varnais, Ivernta Moronoa Varnais...." They chanted. Until.

The shadows vanished... All at once. Vanis looked confused... Wich was a suprising thing as Vanis was never confused.

"Whart happened?"

maradomin smiled "In their dreams. They haunt them when they go to sleep. They hurt them when they go to the dream land. Their attack go straight to the soul. The can do dammage. Not physical, buyt it affects their magic, their moral, their sanity and spirits."

"Is Hanik affected."

Maradomin nodded

He turned around and tried not to smile. She was covered only by a bath robe, but he could still see the outline of her body beneath the fabric. God, she was beautiful... He shook his head. He couldn't think about that now; she needed medical attention.

Ian moved the other chair so that he sat directly behind her, only a few inches between them. He studied her back and shoulders carefully, assessing the damage. A bad burn had left a blister the size of his hand on the back of her shoulder; the rest of them were minor and only as big as his thumb.

He spoke calmly and gently. "Be still. I can't guarantee it won't hurt, but I'll do my best."

He rubbed some of the ointment onto his fingertips and began to tend to her wounds.

Ari hissed in a breath, gripping the armrest of the chair with full force. "hurry up, damn it," she breathed through clenched teeth.

Ian kept at his regular pace. "Do you want these tended to right? You can't rush this type of thing. We're almost done anyways."

*ok, I can't think of anything else athe moment. I'll post more later. *