Era of the Riders

Name: Vandiel
Age: 114

Gender- Male

Race: Elf

Body Structure: Thin and muscled

Appearance: Pure white, pale blue eyes.

Personality: Extreamly peacfull and laid back. Doesn't like getting into fights unless he has to.

History: The first rider in his family since his father who died from over using his magic.

Likes: Stories of great granduer. Will sit and spend hours listneing to old stories.

Dislikes: Violence, and

Strengths: Very ery few would creative mind. Can use a spell as simple as Britnger and turn it into something great that very few would think of.

Weaknesses: His adversion to figthing causes him to hesitate.
Other

[Talneri Iorasdaughter]

It was a cloudless, cold day in Kuasta; business was slow and the wind stirred the sea water lazily beside the docks. People seemed to float carelessly to wherever it was they were going with hazy, bland faces and listless motions. Talneri was sitting with her arms propped up on her knees, using a whetstone to sharpen the edge of the knife she was holding. A small gust of wind tousled her bangs, revealing the blank stare she wore.

"This place has got to be the most uneventful in all of Alagaesia," Talneri observed, her voice holding resent and boredom in a strange, raspy balance.

From below her, on the lower shelf of the rock she was sitting on, her second-eldest brother Khal responded, "Only because you're not at the docks- it's not that bad when the goods come in." He looked up at his younger sister with an expression of hopefulness.

"Goods, my foot, it's only halfway exciting when some traveler brings news and even then they forget most of what happened," Talneri replied, her mood souring quickly. Despite her somberness, she found her mind wandering back to the last storyteller. She'd liked him quite a lot as he talked of the great Dragon Riders and how they farried the dragon eggs around, looking for elf or, less likely, human that the egg would accept. It all sounded so exciting, something new at every corner.

Khal, despite his well-know patience, stood and leaped off his perch, "Must you always complain?" He shook his head in annoyance and began walking away.

Quietly, to herself, Talneri answered, "Well no one else will do it." She sat quiet for a moment, reviewing a sword manuever in her head to calm herself, and then muttered angrily, "Besides, he didn't say I was wrong."

She carelessly aimed and threw the knife towards a tree, where it struck the trunk and would remain lodged until someone decided to try to pull it out. She'd worked a long time learning that trick, and it always gave her a grim satisfaction to see that she could still do it.

The moments dragged on, as they always seemed to for Talneri, and she sat staring alternately between the wide, treacherous sea and the dark mystery of the Spine mountains. It wasn't long before she slipped into a daydream she'd often had- one of meeting a Dragon Rider and then traveling toward Du Weldenvarden to meet the elves of Ellesmera.

"Talneri! Come on, you'll want to hear this!"

Jerked out of her fantasies, Talneri stood and leaped from the boulder. She hit the ground running, excited at the mystery of her youngest brother Segren's exclamation. He knew enough not to call his sister unless it was something good, and he didn't get excited easily, so Talneri knew something was up. Finally.

Dylis

Dylis soared high above Ellesmera, feeling the wind rub itself against her scaly body; whistling in blatant appreciation for her presence in its sky.

Ruler of the air, Dylis felt at peace soaring above the hidden city in the forest of Duweldenvarden. She felt at home looking down at all the tiny bodies who walked relaxingly below, bound to no one and going nowhere.; all of different shapes and sizes. And the Menoa tree; what a beautiful sight it was when you were above it.

But there was one problem: the forest. The horrible, daunting array of tree's that Naria, Dylis' rider, seemed to adore so much. She adored the seclusion; the ability to hide and nobody find you. Most of all, it seemed to Dylis as if Naria adored being away from her. Did she not realize that Dylis had chosen her, that she wasn't told exactly who for and when to hatch? A rider who didn't want to be -- how ironic. Had Dylis made a grave mistake?

No, there was something inside Naria. Something that gave her courage, passion. Something that would one day bring her to the state of mind of a true dragon rider; a true hero. But, not today. Not tomorrow, and if everything followed suit, not ever. Dylis would live her life secluded from Naria, the person she hatched for and had already come to love. Dylis would grow old and weary, in solo flight above the Duwlendenvarden as Naria took her precious time alone, hidden from one of the most powerful existences one could ever acquire.

Letting out a low, rumbling roar, Dylis folded her wings beside her and dove for the ground. She would not stand for Naria's seclusion, but the only way to counter it was do the same. It would take many days of flying, but she would do it. She would travel to the graven port city of Kuasta. In her training, she had learned that is was a very secluded town that was always the first to hear gossip. Good, then they'd be the first humans to see Dylis. And Naria, well, Naria wouldn't even know.

Soaring low over the trees Dylis tried one last time to spot her hidden rider. She was nowhere to be found, giving Dylis ample reason to raise her body into the clouds and choose her direction. Kuasta it was.

"Dylis, you're exhausted," Naria had said, "Dylis, I never wanted you!" Then what had she wanted? Summoning the heat from deep in her stomach, Dylis let out a small puff of flame. Naria would be the one exhausted when she noticed Dylis was missing. Would she even try to find her?

Ignoring all thoughts of Naria, Dylis locked her mind from the rest of the world. Three days of travel, and who knows how long of being in Kuasta. If Naria wanted seclusion, seclusion she would have. Dylis didn't care what people would think, seeing a dragon with no rider. Her rider didn't want her, so she didn't want her rider.

--

Three days passed and an exhausted Dylis dove to the ground. Already she could smell the salty aroma of the ocean, as had been described to her by her teacher. She was close to the ocean, and if she had gone the right direction, close to Kuasta.

Resting her head on a large rock, Dylis felt exposed to danger in the single, open area of the forest called the Spine. She had soared until the moon was high in the sky, searching for an open area to land her wings. She was still too young to make a journey such as this, what had she been thinking? Had she been?

Closing her eyes, Dylis drifted off to sleep, stretching her wings over her head to try to hide in the shadows. If only the moon hadn't been there, she wouldn't have been found.

Screams filled her head as she soon came to. Dylis opened one eye, she was still on the ground, but there was fire all around her. What had she done? Wait, this couldn't have been her. Roaring loudly, she raised her body off the ground and sat on her haunches, surveying the scene around her.

Upwards of one hundred townsfolk stood around her, all with pitch forks and flaming torches. They had no intention of harming her: they were scared. It was out of pure fear they all stood there, but how on earth had the known? Hunters, or was Dylis just that obvious, as Naria had said? Opening her mouth to roar, Dylis noticed a small child in the front of the crowd. Half the size of the men in front of him, his eyes read that his dreams were coming true.

A dragon, his thoughts spoke to Dylis unknowing, It's really a dragon!

The low rumble of her dragon laugh made the entire crowd inch back, all except for the small child. Lowering her body, Dylis brought her head towards the boy, once again scaring the crowd. But the boy stayed still, a smile painted across his tiny lips.

Touching her nose to his forehead, Dylis opened her mind to his once more. The boy, excited as he was, was holding back from wrapping his arms around her mouth. Dylis nudged his forehead.

You will make a great rider, one day. She said to him, pulling her head away from his. The boy stood awestruck, and the crowd gathered around her closely, all reaching to pet her scales.

--

Morning found Dylis perched atop the dock as the entire town of Kuasta gathered around her. They had never seen a dragon before, many of them whispering about how amazing she seemed. Dylis, still tired from the past days of travelling, struggled to hold her head up high. The town's guards had been stationed to keep the people away from her, and thankfully, they gave her enough room to collapse, if needed.

The crowd had all gathered for her, their minds and thoughts were all focused on her and her alone. Dylis had once thought she would love the attention, but now all she wanted was to sleep. Funny, not even one thought of Naria popped into her head.

Crouching down, Dylis prepared to take off and find a resting place, but one thought stopped her. The thought of one longing to be out of this secluded place, wanting to be a rider and have a dragon such as the one in front of her. A young girl, just barely younger than Naria in human years.

Dylis turned her gaze to the girl that stood in front of her, closest to the guards. She smiled widely as she stood next to a smaller boy who looked similar to her. Turning her neck to notice she still had her saddle on, Dylis turned her head back to the girl once more.

You want to be a rider, she said in her mind, crouching down low, Then you must see if you can handle it!

--

Sorry for length guys o.o

We need more dragons here! Final, you're the only one!

Naria-

I shouldn't have said it. I hadn't told her for a reason, and now I couldn't even sense her. It had been one day since I had last seen her, and now my feet were running-- running in the direction I had last sensed her. My running was uninterrupted, and I hardly stopped for food and drink. I knew the forest like the animals, and I managed to avoid others. Elves I could live without, but, as I had now discovered, Dylis I could not. I had never had such an opportunity to become-- close, both emotionally and physically, to another creature.

Days passed by. One day of running, then two, then three. I could no longer avoid people. I no longer cared. I ran too fast to be clearly seen, and only one thing pulsed in my mind: Loneliness. Worse then loosing my parents. Worse then loosing my freedom. No, loosing such a bond was the only thing in my heart. It drove my feet faster, even though the pounding was beginning to hurt my spine.

Finally, I could sense her.

Dylis!

Naria! Her mind soon cooled. Why are you even here? You don't want me, after all!

I stood, my hands limp at my sides. I didn't care that a small group had noticed me. All I saw was Dylis. It's not you I don't want! I just needed time to clear my head!

She circled, slowly coming lower. Then what do you not want?

My heart twisted when I saw another on her back. I don't want to live with the others of my race. My aunt and uncle pestering me to talk to others, my training partners running because they saw my teeth and body-- everybody I interacted with being jealous that I got a silver dragon.

She circled lower. Are you jealous of those who have a black dragon? Or one more appropriate to hide?

I reached my hand up, beckoning her to come closer. No. Not anymore. Dylis, please. I've already lost my parents. I wouldn't be able to stand loosing you.

Dylis landed, letting the girl on her back slip off. I did choose you, after all.

I smiled as her old charm came back. You did. Why, I don't know, but you did.

She came closer, crouching down to inspect me with a large silver eye. Are you willing to be a Rider now?

I took off the black leather glove that hid my gedwey ignasia* and opened my hand, palm up, to show it. "As long as you are my dragon, I will be your Rider." I said it in the Ancient Language, binding myself to her. The barriers in her mind melted away. I wrapped my arms around her neck. I couldn't believe I had missed the feeling of scales under my hands and on my cheek.

I heard that. Dylis growled.

I chuckled. I said I missed it. That's good.

"Can I interrupt here?" The girl who had been ridding Dylis said.

--

*gedwey ignasia- You should seriously know this (else, what are you doing here), but that's the mark of the Riders.

[Talneri Iorasdaughter]

As Talneri dismounted the mighty dragon, using her spiky scales and forearm as footholds so that her trembling legs didn't give out and let her fall, she felt she was dreaming. A surreal quality overtook Talneri as she recalled the recent events. First Segren's call which roused her from listless frustration, her frantic sprinting to discover what he was so excited about, and then her first sight of the dragon.

Her first thought had been one of wonder, but it easily shifted to admiration and a burning sensation of want. Talneri thought her mind might implode from the possibility before her, the adventure and awe which the dragon inspired. The palms of her hands itched anxiously, and she found herself plunged into a daydream of dragon hatchlings and swordfights, magic and danger...

She remembered the look on Segren's face when the great silver dragon nuzzled his brow, and the envy she felt. It seemed as if it were a sign that, if this dragon didn't acknowledge her, no egg would. At that moment she felt her dreams sifting like sand through her fingers, and the visions of being a Rider herself began to seem impossible.

Within the confines of her mind, Talneri had screamed in frustration and disappointment, her thoughts had reeled at the idea that the life she'd dreamed of would slip through her fingers. But then the dragon turned, reconsidered, and projected with a thunderous and wise voice the challenge into her head, You want to be a rider? Then you must see if you can handle it!

And then came the dreamlike ride as she rose to the challenge and found herself astride the dragon's back. She found herself leaning into the turns, excited, wanting to go faster, reveling in the feel of the air around her. The dragon didn't speak again, but Talneri was now sure it could hear her thoughts- somehow. And though the idea vaguely scared her, she was too preoccupied with the amazing feel of flight to really care.

As she came back to the present, Talneri scrutinized what could only be an elf- and the Dragon's Rider. Awe and envy swept over her as she watched the Rider's eyes gazing at it's dragon. In that moment, she saw what made a Rider. And she wanted to prove to the world and anyone else besides that she had what it took. The sensation was so desperate and fierce that she didn't really think before blurting out, "Can I interrupt here?"

The full force of the elf's ethereal beauty was unleashed on Talneri as her attention shifted to the insignificant girl from Kuasta that stood bravely before here. The elf's lips were slightly open in question and eyebrows raised delicately, but she nodded.

Driven by what could be, Talneri attempted to sound polite as she made her request, "I want to come back with you- wherever it is you're from..." She bit her lip and prayed to whatever gods there might be in the hopes that this Rider would agree to her proposal.

ALTAIR

I let out a sigh as the caravan rumbled into Dras Leona. We had been attacked twice by villagers who didn't like the new treaty with the dragons. They still weren't safe though. They still had to go to the castle, where they would stay for a month, or until they hatched.

When we reached the castle the captain gave me leave and I went to the local inn to get a room until we had to move the eggs again. I didn't like staying in the barracks because of the fear that a dragon might hatch for me. It would be nice, being able to fly, but I didn't want the publicity, and I would be forced to fight, even if it was for a good cause. Best not to even think about it.

I was walking to the inn when I heard the clang of swords hitting. I turned towards my horse to the sound. It would be nice to get some practice time in before I checked in.

I tied my horse up to a peg and walked over to the grounds. One of the soldiers came over and offered to spar. I nodded and picked up one of the wooden practice swords. We started slow, but then sped up. A couple of minutes in I realized that I hadn't stretched. I shrugged it off, I'd do it afterwards.

*I didnt know how to bring myself in so I just put myself in another city. If you want to bring me in you can, if not Ill just find a way to ellesmera.*

Vandiel~

I stood in front of a row of glittering eggs. Three other elves stood behind me waiting to try their hand at touching the eggs, but I couldn't move. If I became a dragon rider then fighting would become a part of my life. I would have to kill Urgals, and other such creatures to keep the peace. I would have to fight and kill, and my dragon would have to fight and kill. Did I really want that for my life. Then again if one of these eggs were destined for me then by not excepting this I would be forcing the dragon to spend it's whole life in an egg.

I decide that a dragons imprisonment outweighed my on aversions to confrontation and I moved up and touched the first egg. It was green and was smooth, but there was no response to my touch. I moved on to the next egg it was red. It didn't budge. The third one was black, and it too didn't move. I came to the fourth one thinking that I might not even be chosen. I touched the pure white egg. It was smooth like the others but I felt something different with this one. It began to shutter and crack. The egg fell apart and a white dragon fell out. It's blue eyes peaked out at me from underneath it's shell. I reached out to touch it and it nuzzled my hand. It's touch sent a fire into my hand and the insignia of the riders was branded into my skin.

Veru

Damn damn damn damn damn damn damn

Hold on The touch of Serai's mind of his own was gentle, but drenched in worry. She banked slightly to left and right as she circled what the humans called Hellgrind, making for Dras-leona. To an observer it might have appeared comical, a dragon flying as if drunk.

The truth held no humour. Serai banked continuously to compensate for Veru slumping in his saddle, nearly coming loose of the worn straps.


Damn damn damn.

A trio of arrows stuck from his back, sending ripples of agony across his entire body with every shift of his saddle. Healing magic was pointless with the arrows still embedded, and he daren't try anything else with his mind so clouded with pain. The had to reach Dras-Leona, and the Aviaries infirmary.

Hold on Veru! Serai commanded as he slipped in his saddle. She banked violently to the right, causing him to sit upright once more. The city was looming up ahead, but was strangely hard for Veru to focus on. It seemed to flash in and out of focus as they neared.

Damn damn...da...d.. his thoughts trailed off as he closed his eyes. The pain seemed to be subsiding; and though he knew that that was very bad news rather than very good, he couldn't help but smile.

There was a crashing sound, oddly muffled for Veru, when Serai struck the inside wall of one of the chimney-like entrances to the Aviary. He could hear voices, but no words. He tried to open his eyes but the chaotic prism of colours baffled him completely.

Damn

Just as the first of the physicians loosened the straps from his legs, Veru lost consciousness.

ALTAIR

I heard the crash and looked up to see a dragon crash into the aviary. Shit, I thoght. I dropped the practice sword and grabbed my real one. I ran through the crowd faster than a normal human. When I came to the buildings I jumped landing on the roofs. I continued to run, my stride unbroken.

When I was close to the Aviary I dropped off the roofs and continued by street. I ran into the Aviary to see a dragon lying on the floor with its rider being taken care of by the paramedics. I sighed, no immediate danger.

I walked over to the wall and slid down until I was in a sitting position. I still hadn't gotten any rest, but I'd wait till the dragon and rider woke up before going home.

*I hope all of that was within the powers of a half elf. Im still a little shady on exactly what we can do, because I dont think we were ever introduced to halfelves in the books.*

A note on the oath my character swore in my last post: Her idea of "Rider's Duty" can be a little skewed at times. She considers it more important for a Rider to help the other people then answer to their supirors.

Naria-

I continued to scratch Dylis as I contemplated this girl's request.

Dylis, did you take her here without her parent's consent?

Dylis collapsed, scaring the small group away. Do you think I would do that? Of course her parents agreed to this.

I sighed. Of course they would. To have a daughter, or any child for that matter, become a Rider would be the greatest honour their family could have. That was the only reason why Dylis was so close to Du Weldenvarden. Judging my position we were somewhere near Gil'ead. It had only taken me three days to run from Kirtan to here.

Looking back at the girl, I saw she did not notice my unusual features. To her, I was just another elf. Not one that had taken parts of a cat's body to make it my own.

I went a few feet away and dug a hole in the earth with my long nails. "I will send a message you are arriving along with us. There are some eggs in Ellesmera, but they might all have hatched by now."

"How--?"

Magic, little one. Dylis said to both of us. I didn't respond to either of them as I called water up from the earth to fill the hole. I whispered the spells for scrying with both sight and sound. Soon an image formed in front of me: the Rider's Hall in Ellesmera.

Queen Islanzadi came into view a few moments later. "Naria, what made you leave without permission?"

My lips curled in a suppressed grimace. This was as angry as Queen Islanzadi ever got. "I had an issue of-- personal importance to deal with."

She straitened. "Next time you have an issue with your dragon, please warn us before hand."

I bowed my head. "As you wish." That gotten over with, I changed to the topic at hand. "Dylis has found somebody that she believes to be a possible Rider."

Queen Islanzadi looked at me with narrowed eyes. "Tell her to go to Dras Leona once you have both rested. There are some issues there that need attending. There is also a train of eggs that has just arrived there, so our candidate will have a larger choice then here. There are only two eggs left. I will send another Rider there with your packs."

A half-smile touched my lips. Just enough to make my canine teeth show. "Thank you, your Majesty."

I was about to end the spell when Queen Islanzadi raised her hand. "I have gotten reports of an injured Rider in Dras Leona. Be sure to keep your weapons ready."

I bowed my head and ended the spell.

"Well?" The girl asked, eager to find out her fate.

I stood and brushed dirt off my knees. "We leave for Dras Leona tomorrow, once we have prepared."

[Talneri Iorasdaughter]

If there is such a thing as destiny, I now officially worship it, Talneri decided, briefly sunk into a deep state of surprise. Her hands shook at her side, and she curled them into tight fists, clenching her arm muscles to contain the depths of her excitement.

She could only think in the present- the past was too awe-inspiring and the future too exciting. So Talneri took a deep breath to steady herself and set her jaw, "Thank you. If it's okay, I'll meet you back here in the morning."

The elf looked towards her dragon and Talneri bit her lip before sprinting towards her family's house. She couldn't wait for the elf to answer that particular plan, she was too excited. Besides, she was confident that, as a Dragon and Rider, the elf and dragon wouldn't break their promise, so if the elf needed to find her she'd know where to look. Storytellers told of the elf's slow-moving and formal customs- Talneri simply didn't want to wait and find out just how true it was. Haven't I waited all my life? What's the point of waiting in the hopes of politeness?

She could hear Segren behind her, and boosted her speed, knowing he'd fall easily behind- Talneri could outrun all of her siblings if she worked hard enough. All Talneri could think was that she needed to get her sword, pack her things, say goodbye, and wait out at the meeting place until morning. That was her plan.

**Sorry for the scribbly shortie... :-/**

*Okay, so we're still at Kuasta and not near Gil'ead then? Okay... it will only take one day to travel there, since we have to fly high up over the mountains and over the Spine.*

Dylis

Dylis blinked her eyes as the girl, Talneri, ran back towards the city. They were a little ways away from the gates, but she made it there quickly.

The sun was still high over the mountains as Dylis turned her head to look down at Naria, who sat against her silvery body and surveyed her thin fingers. Shifting her body to get more comfortable, Dylis lowered her head to look at Naria through one big eye.

Shall we fly around the mountains, or over? Dylis asked.

We should get her there quickly; the eggs only stay in one city for two days. Flying around would be too time consuming, Naria replied, putting her hand on Dylis' cheek.

Over it is, then. Dylis rested her nead beside Naria, content to wait until morn for Talneri to return and fly out.

Alrighty. I guess we will ignore the fact that Naria can't run from Du Weldenvarden to Kuasta......

Naria-

I let my head fall back on Dylis's neck, if only to hide my weariness. I had never run so much. Over the plains, through Toark River and then through the Spine. I bent my legs and winced. Blisters had formed on my feet that I hadn't been aware of.

Dylis opened one eye and looked at me. You're alright?

I nodded. I should be fine tomorrow.

You didn't need to kill yourself to find me, she said tartly.

I scratched her cheek. I haven't killed myself, as you can see.

She snorted. Not yet, at least.

I chuckled and began healing the sores on my body.

Naria? Dylis asked after awhile. How will you get to Dras Leona?

I'll run through the Spine while you take the girl on your back.

She growled. Of all the plans you've come up with, that is one of the silliest. I can carry two of you. I Have been resting for four days.

I smiled. You have a point. But I don't want to slow you down with extra burden.

A Rider is Not extra burden!

I scratched her cheek and dropped the subject. We could talk about it tomorrow.

~~

Late that night Dylis woke me up. I looked to see another dragon on the horizon. I got up and waited. The Rider stopped by me and gave me my packs and sword. It had been silly to leave without it, but, the task was more important then the preparation in this case. I bid goodbye to them both and sat against Dylis once more.

Now we were ready to head out.

More dragons, RoseyUnicorn? Can do...

Name: N/A, but I'll nickname him The Ember Embryo until he hatches

Age: Unhatched egg

Gender: Male

Race: Dragon

Body Structure: I promise when he hatches, I'll be most descriptive, but until then...

Appearance: Same here as above, but right now as an egg has three main colors which swirl fractally together: black, red, and orange. It's mainly intense red and orange, with the 'black' being a deep, dark maroon, resembles an intense sunset or the flickerings of flame (hence his nickname). Think this color.

Personality: Though his personality will develop much, much more when he actually hatches, the Ember Embryo does have a bit of a personality based on one thing: how long he's refuted Riders. The Ember Embryo has been in his egg around five years, due to his stubborn determination to find a 'deserving Rider'. This suggests either an arrogant dragonpride or a wise patience. Only time, and whoever he chooses, will tell which.

History: As mentioned above, The Ember Embryo has been in his egg five years, being ferried around to numerous large cities and rejecting every hand that touched him. He was born to Rajj and Tora, who both died in the after affects of the Dragon Elf War. Their Eldunari live in the dragon caves of the wild. Other than that, The Ember Embryo has not been born and, as such, does not have much of a history besides that he is a tough egg to crack.

Likes: Seeing as he hasn't had any opportunity to experience things such as flight, food, battle, etc. he can't really 'like' much right now. But he will. And he does like certain attributes in Riders, namely determination and that flightly, sought after attribute known as inner strength.

Dislikes: Same as above as far as material things, but here are some thing he dislikes in could-be Riders: emotionally weak aka crybaby, dramatic, whiny, lazy etc.

Strengths: i can't think of a way to reveal this as an egg and I'd rather it not be known until he hatches, so... this will be filled in..

Weaknesses: Same as above

Other Attributes: The striations in The Ember Embryo's egg shell resemble fire.

Other: He is currently in Dras-Leona, but will soon be ferried to Ellesmera. Which means Talneri will have to wait in Ellesmera a while before he finds her.

I will flesh out his personality soon, promise!
-cat4prowl

**Apologies for the double post!! **
[Talneri Iorasdaughter]

Saying goodbye turned out to be a lot harder than Talneri had anticipated. Relnair, her father, seemed to take it the best-- or at least that's what Talneri thought originally. Iora, her mother, on the other hand went into hysterics; she was on about how dangerous and how she was losing her only baby girl... Though Talneri loved her mother, she found these sentiments a bit unnecessary and uncomfortable. After all, even as the only girl, Talneri had never been given preference. In her mind, she was just another 17-yr-old leaving home in search of adventure, and there was something in her that was saying nothing would stop that.

Khal, her second-eldest brother and her closest sibling, simply nodded. He knew Talneri would do it sometime, she had that passionate determination and she'd set her mind to thoughts of magic and dragons. Khal knew Talneri wouldn't be stopped. Benur, her second-youngest brother, shrugged it off. He looked up to Talneri, but didn't exactly want her to know it. So he hid his emotions-- as he knew Talneri would. Mith, her eldest brother, was obviously disappointed-- epecially because his parents did nothing to smother her spitfire personality. But he kept his cool. Segren, the youngest, was vaguely jealous and sad to think his sister was growing up. His little boy mind was suddenly impressed with the idea of age.

But Talneri knew none of this. She knew none of the impact she'd just made on her brothers, nor the pathway she'd set that some might follow. Talneri didn't know how much it pained Iora to see her only daughter go, how much guilt her mother felt at Talneri's upraising. Relnair, when he recovered, was furious. But he couldn't cope, couldn't decide what was right, so he said nothing and went back to business-- something that made sense.

Talneri brought several changes of clothes, (strictly breeches and tunics, no dresses) her cheap and banged up sword, her trusty knife, some food from her insistent mother, and numerous personal effects. She traveled light, just one pack and her sword's sheath at her belt. She felt ready, she felt excited, she felt alive. That night she disappointed her mother by foregoing her last night and camping out at the meeting place. There would be no missing this ride.

Sleep came slowly, but it came with rich, fulfilling dreams. Talneri woke early, and was pleased to see the dragon and her elvish Rider as she did. Without hesitating, her voice full of impatience, determination, and passion, "Are we ready to leave?"
-------------------------

[The Ember Embryo]

Different minds brushed past The Ember Embryo's egg, their thoughts excited or nervous. The Ember Embryo ignored them-- he wanted his Rider to grab his attention, not beg for it. Although, yes, the begging was flattering and, yes, he deserved the respect as a dragon, but these humans were all so wishy washy. The Ember Embryo carefully combed a few interesting minds and, finding nothing of consequence, went back to his thoughts.

The Ember Embryo was desperate for a Rider, he wanted the yawe and he needed, needed, to see the world. To get out of the red orange sky of his pressing shell, to be free! To be free, as was the legacy of a dragon. The Ember Embryo squirmed in his egg. He would just have to be patient.

**yawe: a bond of trust