Dragon Riders II: Revenge of the Riders (started, accepting)

Manarian

Manarian oversaw the group’s preparations for the departure tomorrow, simultaneously making mental plans for their group’s flight into the Black Mountains. It seemed obvious that the stone, if it even existed, would be hidden deep in the mountain range – although that wasn’t a problem for a flying dragon. However, the black mountains was a vast range and very difficult to navigate. Finding the very center of the mountain range – even from up high – could be near impossible.

And, although he checked the maps he had, none had detailed description of the mountains. Manarian had the vague idea that they might follow Eighth, to get some idea of where they were going, but, no, that wouldn’t work. Eighth was far too crafty. She’d figure out they were following her and her Shadows in no time.

So… they had to wing it. Although it might have turned out like that anyway, it still made him uncomfortable to set out without a clear plan. Manarian shook his head and decided to focus on just getting to the mountains first. He sighed, put the last map in his pack, and glanced up. Fitz, in the act of tying up his pack, looked up and glanced at Zara. Manarian frowned at this, but shook it off. He was probably just uncomfortable with the fact that there was a chained fugitive in the camp. He shrugged and went over to the fire. Typical new guy.

Eighth-

It was a new day. Time to set out. I went to find Alice. She was sitting with her dragon, chuckling at the sorry state of Zara's. Roshan had managed to get inside, then. She was looking slightly better, but still a mess. "Alice. We leave to find the stone today." I said. She nodded."We'll need provisions, weapons, all of those types of things. Can you be in charge of getting those together?" I asked. It wasn't really a question so much as it was a command. "I'm going to plan a path. One that will get us there quickly, but will make us hard to follow." She nodded again. "How much will we need?" She asked. "Pack for a month. It shouldn't take that long, but it's batter to be safe. We'll need plenty of flint. It can get cold, and fires may be difficult to start."

She nodded, smirking slightly. "What's so funny?" I asked.
She couldn't contain a chuckle. "Go talk to your dragon, Eighth." She said. I looked at her curiously. She walked off to get everything together.


(sorry its short I'll post more later)

***Just letting you know I'll be moving to college Tuesday, but I am still interested in participating in this storybook. I just won't be able to check YWS but maybe once a day until things calm down around campus. Freshmen always get such buttloads to do... ***

Fitz


Manarian seemed agitated, even if only slightly. He was pretty sure he knew why, too. The situation with Zara, having a new recruit - and he could admit, he was uncertain of several things here, including the severity of things and Zara - and...only God knew what else. Fitz swallowed; he would be better off elsewhere...

Too late for that now, numbnuts, Isold hissed softly at him. You already pledged to help them. Would you go back on your word?

No, of course not, he huffed back, hoisting his bag onto his back and staring at her. I'm just thinking about...this hell of a mess we're in.

I know...but we're in it. Now, let's just help them help us to get out of it.

He nodded, moving closer to check her physical condition. She was beginning to develop the muscle tone of a maturing dragon; and she was well, which was a good thing. Wherever Manarian would be leading them, they would need to keep up. Can you keep up with these others?

She snorted, as if offended. You dare ask me that?

Just trying to be compassionate, you stubborn -

She looked away, ignoring him. He sighed; they still had a long way to go... He resisted the urge to look at the prisoner; instead, he stroked Isold's neck as he climbed up onto her shoulders. I'm sorry... I'm just confused right now.

She blinked. I know. I forgive you. Then, she added, But a word of advice. Hang low, and try to be less obvious. You're pissing Manarian off with your constant fidgeting and glancing about. Especially when it concerns that girl.

He chuckled at her. Thanks. I'll do my best.

Not the second page again! Come, on you guys. Post!

Manarian

The morning the Riders set out started off smoothly enough. After a hasty breakfast, everyone hopped on the Dragons, Manarian climbing on Nukpano behind Bree, they took to the air. After some consideration and what Manarian would call a ‘discussion’ and everyone else would call an ‘argument,’ it was decided that Zara would ride, still chained, with Fitz and Isold.

“They can prove their trustworthiness,” Manarian had said coolly. “If they try to help her escape, well, we’ll only have one target to aim at, won’t we?” This earned him several glares from the assorted group, but, in the morning, Fitz took off with Zara bumping along in front of him.


A few hours into the trip, when the Black Mountains had yet to peek above the horizon, when Manarian had just narrowly avoided losing a map to Nukpano’s slipstream, Bree broached the topic of Zara.

“So… Were you serious back at camp? About attacking Fitz and Isold if they tried to help Zara escape?”

“Yes. Yes, I was.” He didn’t elaborate. He didn’t want to discuss her, or anything about her. Bree seemed to sense this, and didn’t bring the subject up again.

Fitz

Fitz breathed slowly, chewing on his lip. Damn it, what the hell have I gotten myself into? he thought bitterly, trying to be less conspicuous than he knew he looked.

"Only one target to aim at," the man had said. Manarian had said, with as harsh and solid a tone as he'd ever heard a person use before! Then it meant things were serious: that if Fitz tried anything, he would die, no questions asked. Not that he would, but just the thought alone scared him. His curiousity and uncertainty had now become terror.

But he soon found a way to secure his thoughts. He derived up various plans and responses to use to help him keep his head. First, leave her chained. End of discussion. Second, obey every command Manarian gave him regarding Zara. That was a must, of course... But he wouldn't kill her if it came to that; he wasn't a murderer or executioner. But thirdly, don't let any begging fit for the whole world get to him and make him sway in his resolve. Yes, that should do it, that should keep him strong...

But Isold could feel he was still scared.

Do not fret. Just focus on the ride and where we are going, Isold finally crooned to him.

He nodded, and relaxed, observing the landscapes passing far below them.

Thanks, you guys. Can we get some bad guys posting besides me?

Ryl

Ryl had been watching Fitz out of the corner of her eye all day. Her anger from the previous night had boiled down somewhat. Now Ryl was just grumpy. Kallo, who had been flying beside her, seemed to realize that and had stayed mostly quiet.

"You are staring again," said Kallo. Ryl jumped out of her thoughts and turned to Kallo. She realized she had been looking directly at Fitz.

"Staring?" she asked, feigning innocence. Kallo cast a disdainful glare back to where Fitz was flying.

"What happened last night, anyway?"

"I already told you," snapped Ryl. "We argued. There isn't much else to it."

"Obviously there is," Kallo replied evenly. "Or else you wouldn't be staring."

Ryl rolled her eyes, casting around in her mind for an excuse. "I guess - Look. I found Fitz. He is kinda my responsibility."

Kallo snorted. "You're acting as if he is a puppy." Ryl opened her mouth to retort, but Kallo shook his head. "All I am saying is that you should wait before trusting him so much. That's how we got into this whole blasted mess in the first place. We trusted the wrong people - person. So I am telling you to wait."

Ryl began to respond, but she couldn't think of the words. After a moment, Ryl scowled and rolled her eyes. "I'm going to go talk to him."

Bane growled at Ryl, but Ryl jabbed one of his wing joints emphatically. Reluctantly, Bane retreated to the back of the group, where Fitz and Isold were flying. Ryl pointedly ignored Zara. Ryl glanced back at Kallo, whose lips were pursed. Ryl shrugged at him.

**Hope this is okay. I have been at a loss on what to post.

***It's fine. We're all having a hard time, with all the schools starting back (in America, at least, lol)... I will probably post tomorrow afternoon, I'm quite literally brain-dead exhausted.***

Zara:

I was oblivious to my surrounds, staring at my hands where they lay wrapped in chains in front of me. Fitz, the other fire rider, was quiet behind me. Probably talking to his dragon or something. Me? I was too busy feeling sorry for myself.

Suddenly there was another dragon beside us. "Fitz, how is it?"

I tuned them out; I didn't want to hear it. I wanted my dragon, and I wanted out of Eighth's crazy plotting. I shifted slightly, drawing attention to me. Fitz grabbed me so I wouldn't fall off while the girl on the dragon next to him moved her dragon away.

"She's not going anywhere," Fitz said, probably answering a question.

I kept my eyes on my hands. I wanted my dragon. And I felt empty, hollow. I hated myself, hated what Eighth had done to me. I hated Eighth, and I wanted her gone....and I really wanted my dragon. I started crying again.

"Does she do that often?"

I felt Fitz shrug. Ignoring them, I leaned forward over my hands and let myself cry some more. I was pitiful, not worth saving.

"I'm not worth it," I told them, talking more to myself than anything. Fitz and the other rider fell silent; I knew they were watching me.

**Hope this helps to move the story along. A post is better than no post.**

***Oh, yeah. Definately. Sorry I forgot to post... ***

Fitz

He gasped, looking at her. What had she just said? Or had he indeed heard her correctly? Still, he had to be certain...

"Not worth what?" he asked, staring at her limp, weeping form.

"You know what..." she whispered, as if completely numb emotionally, "...not worth saving."

He gawked at her; Ryl inhaled deeply and heaved a sigh, as if disgusted. But he couldn't feel that way, for some reason. He didn't see this behavior as an act, as a means of drawing attention or trying to weasle out of trouble and binds... He saw it as a genuine wish. Considering the hell she had just been through, he actually couldn't blame her...

"That's not true," he whispered back, making sure his grip on her was tight enough; he wouldn't let her commit suicide, if it came to that. "Everyone deserves a second chance, no matter how malicious and unforgiveable our crimes."

She turned her head slightly, looking at him over her shoulder. Her eyes were red and swollen, tears soaking her face.

"I don't give a damn about your past; I probably wouldn't, still, even I knew what it was!" He took a breath, steadying himself for the first time since they took flight. "No matter the outcome, I assure you: it will be all right."

*It's okay. There's several things I've forgotten to post on*

Zara:

I snorted, leaning back and closing my eyes. Sure. He cared. I called for my dragon but the connection was still cut off. I hope she's okay, I thought.

"Nothing you say will change how I feel," I muttered. "And that's worthless. Eighth saw to that when she took me captive and turned me against my own..." I feel silent for a moment. "I killed the elders," I whispered. "Dozens of them. I killed Manarian's dragon....he's never going to forgive me for that."

"You...killed his dragon?" Fitz asked, shocked.

"It wasn't on purpose," I protested. "I was fighting someone and then suddenly the dragon was just...there. I couldn't stop the blade from falling."

The other rider hissed something under her breathe and Fitz told her to hush. I didn't want to talk anymore so I stayed quiet. After a long while, I laughed; harsh and broken.

"It will never be alright," I told them. "As long as Eighth is alive, it will never be alright."

WOAH! Been a while. Sorry guys! Been real busy. :/

Anyone care to mention Bree...or tell me where the stupid girl is? (; lol

She's flying up front with Manarian. He's sitting behind her, I believe.

*** I believe that's correct. Gee, it's been a while, hasn't it? Lessee...***

Manarian

Manarian stared intently at the horizon. He was looking for a small mountain, or, rather, a large hill, that marked the beginnings of the Black Mountains. This was becoming increasingly difficult as the wind was picking up, and Bree's hair was constantly flying in his face. It smelled earthy, and vaguely copperish. He shook the red wisps out of his eyes for what felt like the hundredth time that hour, wondering why Bree didn't simply tie her hair back, like he did.

But then, seemingly out of nowhere, a black smudge appeared on the horizon, and grew larger every minute. Behind it, even larger black shapes loomed. A corner of Manarian's mouth lifted in a tight smile. Things were going to become interesting very quickly, now the mountains were in sight.

"Drop down," He called over his shoulder to the other riders. "Stay just above the trees; we don't want Eighth or her cronies spotting us." The abrupt silence that followed informed him that he had just interrupted some conversation.

"Going down," called Kallo after an awkward moment. Ryl, Fitz and Bree all made some sound in the affirmative before beginning their gradual decent.

"What did I say?" Manarian murmured to Bree, taking care that no one else heard.

"Beats me," she said, her voice the same murmur. "Maybe they were talking about you," she said, the old mischievous glint appearing in her eye for a moment. “Maybe they were making fun of your ponytail,” she snickered.

“Ha, ha,” he grumbled, before returning his attention to the mountain range. “We’ll get as far in as we can tonight,” he said, abruptly serious again. “Then we start searching.”