Young Writers Society

"Yes," said the King wearily. "You are having a meeting with the other Dragon Riders, is that correct?"

"Yes, Your Highness. It seems that the Dark Knights small attacks are becoming more frequent. We need to be on better alert, so they don't reach the heart of Damali."

The King nodded. "I will have a table set up in here for your meeting. I want to hear everything that's going on. You are dismissed."

Ariadne bowed and left the throne room, heading to the Dragon Rider's Quarters to wash up. Their rooms were in the East section of the castle, overlooking the dragon's Quarters in the middle of a large field. She entered her room and collapsed on her bed. Earlier that day, she had sent a message to all of the Dragon Riders, telling them of the meeting in about twenty minutes. Ariadne got up from her bed as a maid came in to fill her tub with hot water and pick out formal clothes.

(The boy was Azrayel, sorry about that)

Ciru

He flashed the general a quick grin, his scars twisting a little with it, before Otraol swooped down to pick him up. His mind reached through to that of the dragon for a moment, Can you send a message to the rest of the battalion to have them on their best behavior for the newcomers?

Otraol's head turned briefly to regard him with a flat red eye, I can send a message, but that doesn't mean that they'll comply. After all, you're not the general, and I'm not Shyen.

Ciru gritted his teeth for a moment, They'd better follow this order, otherwise there'll be some serious punishments going around. There're two dragon riders at stake on this one.

Otraol pushed off the ground, his wings snapping out to carry him into the air, circling high over the market as they waited for Ianeil to finish speaking with the two new dragon riders.

**I waited for him to post, but he never did. I'm moving on.**

Ianeil

Shyen broke into my train of thought after a moment. I held up a hand to Azrayel and Haven as she began to speak.

Ciru has issued an order without your permission, Ian. What are you going to do about it?

What was the order?

For the entire battallion to behave themselves. Well?

Reinforce it. If it's reasonable, I don't mind. But thank you for telling me.

I turned my attention back to the two riders. "Forgive me. My dragoness" - I motioned skyward, to where Shyen was looping and rolling carefreely midair - "is very young and very impatient."

The riders chuckled with me as Shyen snorted at my comment. It was an immature act, but it was adorable. If only people could see us in our past time, joking and wrestling with each other...

"But, enough of that," I reluctantly sobered. "My battallion is waiting for our return. Come."

I made sure they were following before heading off, through the forest, back towards the canyons and caves.

Shyen, circle high. Keep watch on the area. I have a bad feeling about something.

You got it.

She let out a short cry as she did as she was told.

Viedna

Rosly perched on a peak near the city, and yet far enough from it that she would not be spotted by a casual observer.

There are many dragons here.

"Perhaps the Saviours already know the news we bring, that the Athanasian's are on the march."

Perhaps. But I recognise some of this scent. At least a few of the dragons here are steeds of the Dark Knights.

"Then the invasion has already begun?"

The city bears no marks of dragon-breath, there are no signs of battle. Either the battle was over efore it began, or it has not yet taken place. Alternatively, the Dark Knights may not have come here to fight

"I can only hope so. Clealy we need to go in for a closer look."

Roslyn unfurled from the peak and flew toward the city.

~Bella~

The castle's Great Hall had been renovated so that each of the smaller

tables was part of one huge one.

All of the Riders' chairs were turned to face the head of the table, where

Ariadne and I sat.

"I have called us true Dragon Riders togther today to discuss a subject that

does not come lightly. The Dark Knight attacks are becoming more frequent

and, more importantly, more fierce. For those of you who have not chosen a

side as of yet, this war will show us where your loyalties lie."

It was my turn to speak. "For those of you who are ever loyal to the

Saviors, you have chosen well. For we Saviors have morals, cares, loves,

and families. All of that is lost when you turn to the Dark side.

"It is time to discuss battle tactics. Ariadne?" I turned to her.

She had a grim look on her face as she spoke. "The Dark Knights have

dark powers, and it is difficult for us to compensate for their terror.

"However, we have a simple solution. Instead of only Dragon Riders, we

shall gather together the Damalian army, as well as all of us, and we shall

outnumber the Dark Knights' meager forces. Of course, they do hold royally

above our heads--the King of Athanasia is on their side. However, we do

have access to the former Dark Knight general. He is Bella's uncle, and is

welcome to have her back with the Dark Knights. She will have a double life

as a spy for us, and a trainer for them, until the battle takes place and she

fights for us. Bella will train the young Dragon Riders improper battle

tactics that will get them killed, and for the ones who weren't given a choice

of side, she will lead them to us."

I smiled. "I just hope I can pull of the 'evil' facade."

Ari smiled back, but it only lasted for a moment. She began the gravest

of subjects. "You may as well know this already, but I am just warning you.

Our side will lose fighters. You may die a martyr for the Saviors, but let me

tell you this: If you do die fighting for what is right, you will die with honor."

There was a contemplating silence.

"I think we should split into our companies now to discuss the fight."

*Yoru is different from other dragons, rather then breathe fire he breathes Ice. If that's all right.*

Azrayel-

Ray watched the horizon of the desert, as they flew over it. In the distance, a column smoke caught his eye. Squinting Ray rose on Taiou's back studying the mirror bright flashes at the column's base.

Flying in close to his brother Yoru glanced at Ray. "Is that what I think it is?"

Sitting back down Ray looked over at Yoru. His eyes were veiled with sorrow and bitterness. "Yes. It's a chieftains funeral pyre, so my father is dead. I'm the last of my line Yoru. Now I alone know the path to Kel Caire."

Taiou shifted to look back at Ray. "Then the sacred stones..."

"Hush." Ray cut him off speaking silently so that none of the others could here. "I already know Taiou. I've known since you two hatched eight months ago. The sacred stones of Kel Caire. They're not gems, they're dragon eggs."

Ciru

The five dragons descended to the camp. It hadn't been far, only a short flight from the city. As they touched down, Ciru's eyes widened slightly with realisation of what they had done. If these two decided not to side with them, they couldn't be allowed to leave under any circumstances: they knew their location now. But then, it wasn't like they would have been allowed to leave anyway, whatever the Dark Knight had promised them.

He turned a little to face the two new riders, smiling again, "Your dragons will have to stay in the caves with the others for the time being; there's just not enough room in the main camp for them."

He had a feeling his power would be crucial in the days to come: if the new dragon riders tried to leave, it would fall to him to stop them if there was to be any chance of taking them alive.

~Ariadne~

"Alpha company, you will be leading the Damalian army, ahead of their company's captains. Beta company, you will cover the left flank; Charlie company, right flank. Delta company, you will come from behind and cut them off from their escape route while the Damalian army along with Alpha company attacks them from the front." Ariadne turned to Bella. "Bella, you will lead the Beta company."

Ariadne turned once again to the rest of the riders to give out more instructions. After she was done, she said, "The attack will be in the near future, although I'm not sure of the exact time and date. I will get back to you as soon as possible. You are dismissed."

As everyone got up from their chairs, Ariadne placed her elbows on the table, her head in her hands. "Gautier, I'm exhausted. Invading the Dark Knights is very stressful. How can we invade them if we aren't even sure on their exact location?"

"I'm not sure on that myself, dear," said Gautier sleepily. He was dozing off in the Dragon's Quarters. "I think it would be best to get some sleep and just relax. Take a day off, hmm?"

"But I can't," Ari complained. "As General, I'm pretty much working at all times. That's was I expected when I was promoted. I can handle it."

"Can't you at least get some rest? You need sleep."

Ariadne sighed. "Yes, I'll get some sleep. Goodnight, Gautier."

"Goodnight, dear. Sweet dreams."

Ianeil

I told the new riders to wait as I waved Ciru to my side. I bent close, whispering. "Move the main camp. Shyen will tell me where you are."

He nodded and left. I turned back to the new riders, trying to seem as pleasant and unmoved as possible.

"Have a seat, gentlemen, and let's talk for a while."



**All I've got, sorry...**

~Ariadne~

The next morning, Ari went to the Dragons Quarters just as the sun started to rise.

"Good morning, Gautier!" she chirped, heading to his den. Gautier poked his head out, wide awake.

"Good morning to you, too, darling. Did you sleep well?"

"Yes, yes I did. And now I'm ready for a joy ride! I may not be able to take the day off, but I can at least take an hour or two."

Ari left the Quarters, Gautier in pursuit.

"Ariadne, did Haven ever come in last night?"

Ari turned around to face Gautier, a pit in her stomach. "I don't know. Why?"

"Because I never heard Ley enter her den. I know they like to stay out late more often than not, but they never stay out the entire night."

Ari looked down at the ground, biting her lip. After a couple of seconds, she looked up. "Tell all of the patrols to keep an eye out for him. And Azrayel, too. Give them a full description of what Ray looks like. Gautier, we're not going on a joy ride anymore. We're going to look for Haven, and then Azrayel. I still need his decision."

Ariadne got on Gautier's back as he sent the word out to all of the dragons on patrol. He pushed off of the ground with his hind legs and snapped his wings open, taking to the sky.

*Sorry I haven't posted in AGES!!*


Haven


Why did he do that for? HAven stared at Azrayel as he made the wolves turn into dragons, My LIE will have no effect now! Well the part about the wolves anyway . . .

They were ushered into a room and a man stared at them, "Have a seat, gentlemen and let's talk for a while."

Haven nearly laughed, {i]Gentlemen?[/i] He and Ley shared an amused thought through their thoughs then Haven smiled and said outloud,

"Go on! Let's talk! Do you have any tea? I have been craving some FOR DAYS! Ooo and do you have an biscuits? Or as some would say cookies?"

Haven was nearly bounding around the room. They were both staring at him.

He he looked at them and raised an eyebrow, as his face grew still, "Alright, alright, I'm gonna sit down. It was obvious to me that this was a serious conversation, but with the aura surrounding us as it was . . it would not have been a pretty conversation. But now . . . well . . . it is a little lighter, except. , . ."

He turned his head to the man that was talking to them and pointed at him, "Yours! You seem to be faking what ever your showing us. . . please show us your true emotions."

He looked at them in possible shock.

Ciru

The order was passed quickly through the ranks, Ciru immediately calling the lieutenants and captains together to coordinate the movement. By the time Ianeil was sitting down with their two new guests, the majority of the tents had been packed, and small groups of dragons were swooping down in total silence to collect their riders.

The camp was to be moved several miles to the west, no longer anywhere near the direct warpath that the Athanasian army would be taking. There had been some worry about that, but with their dragons, it wouldn't be too hard to resupply, or even to resupply the Athanasians if it came to that.

They'd have had to move sooner or later anyway, the Saviour patrols were intensifying. Evidently they'd heard news of the approaching army and assumed the Dark Knights must have been in the area.

The last few tents were tied to harnesses on some of the dragons, and then they too took off, leaving only Ciru and Otraol in the camp. Otraol looked at him, tail swishing a little, Won't it look suspicious that we broke camp straight after they arrived?

Ciru shrugged, It's easy to explain - just mention that the patrols are more frequent and we couldn't take any chances that they might choose the side of the Saviours. If they did, we could assume they'd feel compelled to give them our position.

The dragon seemed to agree, and ducked down a little as he climbed onto him, the two of them rising into the air before turning east. Their journey would place them south-east of the city, a position the Saviours would likely never expect. He intended to eventually take half the battalion and position them north-west of the capital. Damali, and the Saviours, wouldn't know what hit them.

~Bella~

Qiira's flying was choppy the next day. I was waiting so nervously for you to come back, she explained. The meeting was so long, and you stayed even longer afterward. What were you doing?
I sighed. I had to talk to the privates in Beta Company. They're inexperienced, and I thought I'd give them a wee bit of training on techniques for evasion. Sorry I kept you waiting.
Qiira nodded. It's all in the past now.
We headed over the desert to the Athanasian fortress, where the Dark Knights were camped out.
Qiira was irate that I had left her to fend for herself in the night, but I had been offered warm housing, and couldn't refuse. She had forgiven me after many attempts to appease her, and much groveling.
I couldn't say I was pleased with the two-facedness of this plan, and I wasn't looking forward to seeing my temperamental uncle. He'd surely welcome me back with open arms the minute I showed him the skill I had, but he wasn't aware that it was I who killed his brother—my father—and I wasn't about to tell him.

*Sorry about the earlier mistake!!*

Ianeil

I lifted an eyebrow at him, biting on my tongue as the boy ranted on and on. He was so confident, so cocky, so disrespectful...He would never survive in an army, much less around those he should listen to. But he wanted me to show my true emotions, my true character? He would get just that.

Too bad Shyen isn't here to see this, I thought, wanting to laugh. She'd enjoy it. Thoroughly.

I nodded, shifting my weight on my feet. "All right, then."

Then, without warning, I used my magic. I focused on Haven's body, using very little of my control to paralyze him, mute him. I saw his eyes widen in shock, and he struggled against me. I only tightened my hold, using my telepathy to apply tolerable pressure to his body, making him completely immobile.

"You wanted to know my true character, so here it is. I am a very patient man, Haven, but do not tempt me. Reason being I have much more self control than you do, and it would not take much for me to kill you right now. But I'm not going to. Another, you are beginning to annoy me with your mouth; you are so cocky and sure of yourself, you forget to consider what others may be capable of. Like now. I'm only controlling you with part my mind, nothing more."

I stepped up in front of him, keeping a level stare on his eyes. "I am about to free you, but only if you behave yourself. Any more mouth and foolishness, and I'll hold onto you until this meeting's over. Understand?"

With that, I suddenly freed him, and he fell back, away from me.

Azrayel-

Ray watched the exchange carefully. His unique purple eyes kindling with a dangerous inner fire. Cassually he took off his cloak and sat in a chair. The pair of scimitars at his waist in plain view. The scimitars bore the emlem of Ravensedge forge. The best in all the realm, any descent fighter knew that Ravensedge weapons were enchanted and chose their own masters.

Ian glanced at the younger boy and chuckled at the blatent tactic.

*agh... I cant think of anything*