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

Natas:(Let's see...)

I prodded carelessly at the expertly wrapped scar that expanded across the whole length of my mid-section, wincing only when I agitated a rather sensitive part.
"You shouldn't be doing that," a voice called from somewhere behind me. Alarmed, I drew my sword and whirled around, a low snarl building in my throat. "Calm down," that same voice laughed. Zara emerged from the dense forest and shook her head at me, mildly chuckling all the while. With a huff I put my sword away and returned my attention to my scar.
"You shouldn't be sneaking up on me," I mumbled.
Or, maybe you should just keep your guard up, Shadow laughed.
Maybe you should just mind yours! Shadow laughed at my internal outburst and blew hot air on me from above. I pointedly decided to ignore him.
"I was just coming to say that if you didn't hurry you would miss dinner. And, since you missed both lunch and breakfast, I thought-"
"Your concern is much appreciated," I snapped back, sounding harsher than I intended. Clearing my throat and re-thinking my tone, I turned around to meet her eyes. "I mean, thank you for telling me. I'll be back before dinner." I flipped my hair out of my eyes and shoved my hands down in my pockets. Zara scoffed and called for her dragon, Roshan was there in seconds. After mounting her and raising a bit into the air, she turned back towards me.
"Don't come back to the castle smelling like that," she laughed. Before I had a chance to throw a rock at her, she was gone. Maybe things were going to be fine from now on. I don't know, everyone seems to be okay if not suffering from a bit of "war trauma".
I noticed that, Shadow drawled, you seem to be a little more tense in crowds.
You need to stop noticing things, I said with a weary sigh. But, he was right.

(Hope that was okay.)

Zara and Roshan:

I dropped the act as I flew away, slipping back into my depression. I sighed and looked down, staring at the glinting red scales of Roshan's neck.

You shouldn't be faking anything, Zara. Roshan's uneven tone betray her calm facade. The dragon wasn't happy either.

I know, Roshan, I replied, frowning. I know.

Silence descended on us as we raced back to the castle. I winced. We could hear the screams before it was even within sight. I looked back over my shoulder to see Natas following close behind and a sudden thought crept up on me.

What was everyone else doing? Were they hiding? Dead?

I heaved another sighed and rubbed at the fading figure of eight scar gracing my forehead. "This is what I get for being a traitor," I muttered. Roshan suddenly twisted beneath me, making me gasp and quickly grab onto something so I wouldn't fall off as she swooped in to land. "What is it?" I hissed.

We're back at Shadow Headquarters, the dragon stated sourly as she landed lightly on the wall. I slipped off her back and glowered at her.

"Are you trying to kill me?" I snapped but Roshan just gave me a blank look and snorted at me before turning away and jumping off the wall. I hissed at her and stalked off down the stairs. I looked up in time to see Eighth leaving the dragon stables.

Damn. I swore and set off in the opposite direction, hoping that she wouldn't notice me. She knew that I had been hiding during the fighting-not that my hands weren't getting bloody, in their own way. I had killed so many...

Fitz smiled at her, moving back toward the outer edge of the camp. Bane watched him carefully, grudgingly. Those eyes were hard with distrust and body tense as if ready to pounce.

Bane doesn't like us, Isold whispered to Fitz.

I thought as much, he answered her. Can we agree on something? To not do anything stupid and make fools of ourselves?

Of course! But I'm still not as willing to be made a fool as you are.

He glared at her sideways, smirking when she cocked her head playfully sideways. She had forgiven him. He reached up and pat her on the face, stroking the smooth scales. Another thing... Can we even try to work together and get along? That spat of ours earlier embarassed the hell out of me.

Isold made sounds low in her throat, as if she were laughing at him. Sure.

The stew finished cooking, and Ryl took the pot away from the direct path of the fire. She set out a few bowls and utensils. "Help yourself, Fitz."

He shook his head. "I was taught to let ladies go first." He cleared his throat, relaxing against Isold's shoulder. "But can you tell me... What's all this about shadow riders? I'm not from around here; I don't know what's going on."

No! Second page!

I've been waiting for you to post, Dreamy. >.>

And no! This must not die before it's gone anywhere!

Eighth
(this one's a shorty)

Someone's hiding near the wall. Phobos said. He almost never talked, so this must be pretty important. "Can you tell who it is?" I asked. He shook his huge head no."Then we'll give them a surprise." I said. I went across the yard to the other side of the wall. I climbed over (not an easy feat) and started to walk around to the front. I'd catch them from the rear.I reached the front and saw Zara, peering over the wall on her dragon. I chucked a dagger and let it sink into a crevice in the wall an inch away from her head. She whipped around. "Zara. I thought you'd never come back." I greeted.

Zara and Roshan:

Roshan had gone off into the trees as soon as Eighth began talking. I winced.

"Yeah," I muttered. "I didn't go far. You know I'd never leave you." I hated that. I wasn't just any rider now; I was a Shadow Rider. The only one with a dragon that wasn't black or white. "Well, I'm back now....so I'll just go find, er, something..."

Eighth had narrowed her eyes. I cringed. She knew I was lying. Great...

Roshan? I called, hesitating.

I'm not interfering this time. Do it yourself.

I winced again and let my shoulders drop, defeated.

"What do you need, Mistress?" I asked, dropping my gaze.


(Thought I'd have her call Eighth Mistress or something... Hope that's okay.)

***Dude. Where the hell is everybody? Why isn't anyone posting?***

***I'll do it. A storybook can survive on three people - I've been in four of those already - but it loses a lot of the interest and fun in it...***

***Yeah. But last bit: I just sent a PM to them.***

Dude, I am SO sorry! We switched hotels, and the internet to our room isn't working. Eeek, sorry, I'll post as soon as I can - I'm actually in the business center right now - hold up a mo!

**Still in this, I was just waiting for Kelcia to post. (; lol. Blame her! xD Anyway, I don't mean to be a nagger but could we keep this to the DT from now on. Clutter bugs me. xD lol**

Ryl

Ryl stared at Fitz for a moment. "Where have you been for so long, that you don't know what's happened?"

Fitz frowned slightly. "I told you I am not from around here. And I have been traveling."

"I'll say," snorted Ryl, slurping down her stew in a series of noisy gulps. Ryl wiped her mouth as she looked back up at Fitz. "Basically? The Shadow Riders have overthrown the government and killed our Elders. They are currently wreaking havoc on a once peaceful land. We are trying to stop them."

Fitz nodded. The pair stared at each other for a moment. Ryl sighed, snatched up another bowl and filled it. She crossed over to Fitz and shoved the stew into his hands.

"Eat."

Fitz spooned in a few mouthfuls of stew slowly, thinking. Ryl turned and walked toward where Bane was waiting at the edge of the camp.

"You'll need help, I assume?" came Fitz's call from behind Ryl. Ryl turned to him, eyebrow raised.

"Help?"

"With the Shadow Riders. From what I've seen, there aren't many of you left to fight them."

"Most of us have disbanded," Ryl replied, hoisting herself into a resting position on Bane's head. "So, yes, we could use help. But I thought it was a given that you are one of our numbers now."

"I'm flattered," said Fitz dryly. Ryl laughed loudly, rolling on her back to look at the stars.