Dragon Riders

MARADOMIN:

All the dragons had lifted up. Ari in the lead.
Maradomin was flying with his men. Although some of his men had no dragon they rode horses or ran.
Maradomin picked up some speed and flew besides Ari.

"General. I shall try and slow down the dark knights."

Ari looked at him suspiciously "I don't know what you are trying rouge. But surely You know that you cannot win."

Maradomin smiled under his hood "I have a plan." He stated

Ari looked at him "This is very honorable of you." Ari said

Maradomin shrugged and flew away.

They soon arrived to a farming lands, when Maradomin and his troops turned.

Maradomin flew down and hopped of his dragon
Maradomin. what are you going to do? the dragon asked

To see how much they value food.

"Dark knights! Stop! I wish to speak with you."

Astonassshingly the small army stopped and an official walked out from the ranks. Maradomin followed the etiquette they met in the middle.

"What is it rouge?"

"I wish you to stop following us."

The official laughed "Are you out of your min rouge?"

"No. If you do not stop. You will force us to burn down your farm lands."

The official stiffened "You would not dare. I thought your side was the so-called moral side."

Maradomin smiled "Maybe them... but not me."

The official shouted at Maradomin in rage "You good doers, would never dare to kill innocent."

"You forget, that I was once one of you."

The official backed off "You are a monster."

"So I've heard."

"Very well we shall retreat. But mark my word rouge. We shall get you someday."

Maradomin shrugged.

The two walked back to their armies. The dark knights were starting to retreat when...

"Burn 'em down!" South Maradomin

The shadow clan warriors started setting the farm land on fire. The retreating dark knight pursuers were too slow to turn back to fight that they could have stopped it.

The shadow claners hopped on their rides and started off.

Maradomin was pleased. But hoped that Ari had not heard of what he had done.

Vanis

He pulled back moments before he reached the farmlands, the glow of the burning fields reaching him before their sight did. His muzzle twisted into a snarl, That fool! What does he believe this will achieve? He cripples the Saviours even as he cripples their enemies!

The dragon's serpentine form flowed as he turned, dropping through the air a little. He flew low to the ground to prevent detection by the shadow clan warriors who would begin to return to the main force in moments. He weighed his options, Shall I report this to the Saviour woman? No...the sergeant is far too valuable for the time being.

Vanis.

The voice that broke into his thoughts startled him, it wasn't often another dragon spoke to him without first being addressed.

Colonel, my rider wishes to know what you are doing.

Otraol swung in alongside him, and Vanis turned an infuriated look on the smaller dragon, Ah, so now a human dares to second guess me? If it were not for me, the Saviours would now be dead! He snorted, Don't look so suprised, Otraol. I saw the two of you riding the wave of my former enemies towards the capital. Count yourself lucky I chose your side this time.

The other dragon simply fixed him with an amused look, prompting the shapeshifter to increase his speed, putting distance between himself and Ciru's sneering pet, I was but keeping an eye on Maradomin. I trust him about as much as the Saviours do, although to my knowledge they did not bother to send anyone to watch him. Tell Ciru I will speak with him when I reach the city, and that I must also speak with general Ianeil and his father.

Otraol's mind flinched a little, but the black dragon managed to gain control of himself before he gave Vanis any more information than he felt was necessary.

Ciru

"Sir?"

Ianeil turned to him from the doors to the infirmary. He didn't look too healthy, clearly a mix of both his own wounds and his worry for his father, "Yes?"

"Otraol reports that Ari managed to convince Maradomin and and the remainder of the Saviours to retreat."

He seemed to relax, although Ciru couldn't quite understand the sudden attachment to the Saviour forces that he had developed. Although the human identified with them to an extent, Ianeil seemed as closely attached to his new allies as a soldier who had fought for them to a lifetime, and Ciru knew that to be bizarre for an elf in particular.

Ciru seemed hesitant in his next words, "Also...Vanis are flying with them."

"What!?"

"Otraol says he wishes to speak with us and your father on their return."

"He doesn't know my father's state of health, does he?"

"I doubt it. Otraol hasn't given him any details, referring to our strength or otherwise. We don't trust him, you know as well as I do that Vanis has his own goals, and whatever they are, they can't be good. The less he knows, the better."

MARADOMIN:

Do you think that was wise? The dark knights aren't the only ones who get their food from the fields. Also the saviours get their food fom there. Asked Garen

I know but, we have another farmland on the other border.

So do they. Garen answered

Yes but they are the ones that had a fullscale attack on them. Besides, they already had problems with food. This just makes it worse.

They flew in silence for a few seconds.

You killed many farmers. Garen said finaly

A nesessary, sacrifise. Maradomin answered

They always are. Garen answered, he continued You werent always like this. You used to believe that killing wwas bad.

I still do.

Don't lie! Garen let out a roar. I know, they took over our lands. But you have to get over it. You were a man of peace. Now! You murder.

That is not the reason. Maradomin said silently

The what is?"

They killed my Brother Maradomin whispered

He asked for it!

Garen! They murdered him!

He went there to be murdered! Garen snarled

They were silent for a long time, the only sound was the sound of galoping horses and the beat of wings.

Besides, you need to teach Laviant of a better world. Garen said soon

I know. But this is not an easy life

It never was. Garen said

Will you stand besides me? Maradomin asked

Till the dusk of time

Maradomin made a sad smile Till the dusk of time.

As Ari looked back to check that the Dark Knights weren't following her, she saw a rise of smoke on the horizon. Squinting, she tried to guess what it was, until the wind blew the horrid smell of burning flesh and dying cries before her.

Oh. My. God. Someone is practically burning those farmers alive!

"Saviors! Keep heading towards Kaitta! Private Leon, Sergeant Gregory, come with me!" With that, she flew out of the ranks, Leon and Gregory right behind her. Gautier flew at full speed, making sure the two men were still right behind them.

"General! Where do you think your going?" Maradomin shouted as they passed.

Gautier, keep going. We have no time to lose.

Of course, dear. I just hope we can get to those farmers in time.

Maradomin:

He smiled s he passed the general. Ari would never blame him... the torches had the mark of the Dark knights on them.

Weaken the enemy, and motivate your side, a simple but powerful stradegy.

Ian nodded. He gave Ciru a small smile, hoping it would show the gratitude he truly felt. Ciru was probably the best friend he had ever had, aside from Shyen and now Ari.

Ian began to walk away; to where, he didn't know. There was nothing to do. Except...wander around, maybe. Maybe he could see the city as it's meant to be seen: on foot. Or maybe he would find his father's room and see how the man has been the past years. Unless...

Unless Ian would have to take over the Mercenary unit until his father was well? Hadn't his father mentioned it before?

He sighed, looking at the sky.

I don't know what to do anymore. I'm lost. Gods above, if you're there...help me.

"Leon! See if there's anyone in those houses! Gregory, you're with me!" Ari barked as she flew to the fields.

Ari and Gregory made a quick but thorough sweep, finally finding a small group of people trapped, surrounded by flames. Thankfully, they hadn't been touched by the fire yet, just covered with smoke.

Okay, Gautier, let's see if I can do this again, just changed up a bit. Ari held her hands out to the flames nearest to the farmers, concentrating so hard persperation broke out on her forehead.

Suddenly, the flames slowly floated up to her palms, and they seemed to be shrinking into her hands. "Gautier..." she said through clenched teeth. "Tell Gregory...to get those people...out." She closed her fists when she couldn't stand the heat anymore, the dragon "tattoo" bright on her forehead.

Hey, someone needs to post, please!! It's been too long!!!

***I might now post much for a couple days...the flu's going around; I think I got it...***

**Lord Anzius has been banned for two weeks. So he won't be able to post in sometime. He was banned because of a post in the debate forum, he will make a public apolocy after 2 weeks, he might get someone to write in the storybooks for him**

***Damn, what did he post?! Whatever... I'm not feeling better, but I'll post something anyway...***

Ian wandered aimlessly for an hour, just looking around and doing, well, nothing. He didn't think, didn't speak much, didn't even bother to wonder about the others. He kept his mind blank.

Well, if that's how it's gonna be, then you could at least come see your own dearest dragon... Shyen grumbled after a while.

Ian stopped. Shyen! Forgive me, Shyen. I'm just...lost, right now.

So ask for directions.

He rolled his eyes. Either she was ignorant to his meaning or she was just being a smartass. Probably the latter. I'm on my way.

He turned onto one of the wider roads, located near the heart of the city. The palace rose just on the other side of the courtyard to his left, and the dragon keep was about another hundred yards before him. He could see the opening into the main part.

He had never been to the keeps before. It was an enormous place, with tunnels and the larger dens branching off the main chamber. More dens were down the tunnels. He approached one of the sentries at the gate.

"Where can I find my dragon, Shyen?" Ian asked after introducing himself. "She's a young maroon...?"

The sentry took a moment to think, but finally acknowledged the request. He nodded, leading Ian across the main chamber, down one of the tunnels, and into one of the very last dens on the left. There, curled up on saw dust and rivergravel, Shyen looked truly bored.

About time you got here, she snorted.

Ian smiled, thanking the sentry as he went to his dragon.



***Just keeping something happening... NOW SOMEONE ELSE NEEDS TO POST!!!***

**Okay, Ahem this is my storybook temporary account... Yes I have the permission to have it. Thank God. Sorry for any inconvinience **

I'll try and get Billy posting.

'cos I can't make anyting up right now. SORRY!!

**I got my account back woohoo. Now if your eally want, my apology is in the lounge.**

Maradomin:

Maradomin wondered where the General was. He hadn't heard of Ari in a while.

"Garen we must go back!" He shouthed.

Garen turned What is it?

"The General is in trouble." He answered

They flew back to the flaming farmlands.

They landed besides a bulding from where they heard a scream.

Maradomin ran in. He saw Ari on the ground passed out. The tatoo on Ari's forhead was glowing.

Maradomin saw a trapped man behind a pile of burning wood.

Maradomin used a spell to simply blow the pile away.

the man came to him "You did this.. You burned our house."

Maradomin looked at the man "Shut up or I will burn you as well."

The man went silent. The man soon said something "My family is trapped in the basement. Please save them."

Maradomin nodded at Ari "Take him out and I will."

The man nodded and went to carry Ari out. Maradomin ran to the place where the man had pointed to. He soon found a trap door he oppened it and saw too female faces.

"Come, the house will come down anyminute now." The two women (or one woman one girl) did not hesitate for a second and ran after maradomin who was throwing flaming pieces of wood away from his way with magic.

When they got out Ari was coming to his senses "General hopp on your ride we must leave now."

Ari was still a bit woozy and did not understand (or so Maradomin thought) what Maradomin said.

So Maradomin lifted Ari on Garen and then lifted off leaving the farmer family to find their own way.

*Yeah, L.A., get Billy to post please! Him and Sylverdawn haven't posted in a while, so if you could find 'em, that would be great! I'll post my entry tomorrow. *

Ciru

Upon opening the door, Ciru found himself face to face with a guard even taller than he was. He moved to walk around him, but the guard moved with him, grip on his spear tightening a little.

"I'm sorry, sir, but I can't let you past. My orders say that no one is to enter the dungeon unless in the company of a commander I recognise."

Ciru nodded, "Fair enough, but I need to interrogate one of the prisoners I brought in. I am willing to wait until you have consulted your superiors, but simply explain that Lieutenant Colonel Ciru, formerly of the Dark Knights, requests entry to the prison. They’ll ask you to describe me. Mention this.” He pointed to the left hand side of his face, “That should be enough for whoever you report to."

The guard hesitated, then chose his words carefully, "I'll have your message taken to the warden, but I can't let you in until then. In the meantime, what is the prisoner's name?"

"Cliares. It is unlikely that she'll have much information on the Dark Knights, but she may be able to tell us something useful, or at least be helpful in luring out a few of the stronger Knights she knew."