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

*Feels extremely guilty,* Errr, sorry. Life happened. Heh. Sorry.

Manarian

Manarian smiled wryly as he hopped on Nuk’s back behind Bree. In truth, he didn’t really like raiding the villages under the Shadow’s so-called protection, but sometimes it was necessary. He’d protest going this time, but he wouldn’t argue with Bree, especially when she was acting more like her old self.

“Which one?” He heard Bree call over her shoulder. He thought a moment.

“The one by the river,” he replied. “It’s far enough away.”

“Gotcha,” she said, and Nukpano adjusted his flight course.

***Sorry I've been gone. Some surprise occassions, ***


Fitz smiled up at Isold. See? Easy as that.

She growled softly. Maybe so, but now you realize we have a reputation to uphold? We've been marked as comrades, battle-mates! We're going to have to fight.

He nodded. And what's wrong with that? A little adventure does everyone good.

She whined, popping the back of his shoulder with her nose. I'm scared, Fitz! I don't want to end up like that again!

He sighed, reaching up and stroking her muzzle, forehead, eye ridges. He hushed her softly, pushing some of his own happier thoughts into her mind - peaceful, cheerful moments. She relaxed under his touch.

"What's wrong?" Ryl asked after a moment, having witnessed the entire exchange.

He glanced at her. "She's just scared. But she'll be okay."

He continued to caress the red wedge-shaped head, sending her some of his own memories and even some that he just made up. All he could do now was wait for the others to return and join them.

Okay so no one kept Alice involved. But okay. Whatever. What exactly are we doing? I'm a little confused about what's happening.

***Chupa dropped out and wants her character to be either controlled or killed - up to us -, Ryl and Fitz are in the camp, the bad guys are off raiding villages and sparring and whatever, and then the two other good guys were conversing in a forest clearing. No one's been posting much...***

Well, as she never posted, we'll just pretend she never even existed. And please, keep this stuff to the DT, you guys.

Did we post the DT on this one?

Yup.

*shames self* Okay, if someone would just tell me where I should be placed I'll post A.S.A.P...

Same here

...How about... Eighth called a meeting of the bad guys to discuss evil plans for securing their rule?

~Kallo

I watched the river restlessly, eyes searching the depths for a good catch. Avena was beside me, her pile of successes much higher than mine yet still not anything impressive. The ashes from our burning village had polluted the river; dead inedible fish littered the riverbanks and the water was grey and impure, hardly fit for drinking. I glanced at Avena, who was solemnly placing another catch onto the small heap. She'd changed over the past month, there was no denying that. Not five weeks ago she'd have been gobbling every last fish up before lazing in the sun for the rest of the day. Whilst I was hardly ungrateful for her change in demeanour, the extent of her transformation simply served to underline the horrors we had been through.

"That's probably enough now," I murmured, scooping up the fish into the basket I'd brought. Together the two of us wandered back to camp, where a promising scent greeted us... Probably stew? As I caught sight of the man's face, I hesitated. That wasn't Manarian.

Ryl turned to greet me cheerfully, gesturing to the stranger. "This is Fitz," she introduced, and the pair of us exchanged wary glances and curt nods.

"Kallo," I replied shortly, and there was an awkward silence.

"I brought fish," I informed helpfully, lifting the basket for clarification. "But it seems you already have food..."

***I got another idea, that might spice things up a little - what if the village currently being raided was near our campsite? Maybe spur a little action up?***

Fitz

"Where's Manarian?" Kallo asked Ryl. Fitz had no clue as to who or what they were talking about, and diverted his attention. These two were obviously friends and needed to have their moment together.

Isold nudged him with her nose. Jealous?

No, of course not, he scoffed at her. Just...awkward. A little out-cast.

She nodded once, crooning softly. That's when he got a spur-of-the-moment impulse; well, not really an instant drive... He was getting antsy, anxious...bored. He stroked her neck as he made his way to her back. The other two riders looked at him inquiringly.

"Where are you going?" Kallo asked, almost accusingly. Ryl's dragon seemed to share his thoughts.

"Scouting. Just a few minutes, a single lap around," he said flatly, shrugging. "You said I was recruited, I might as well start somewhere."

**I apologize for not posting as much as I should have. Here goes...**

BREE

They flew high into the air and Brystianne let her eyes roam over the small village. Who would they be getting information out of today? Bree felt Manarian's leg brush hers from behind her. She moved away from him. He didn't seem very enthusiastic about this visit to the Shadow riders village.

Still, Bree wanted to revolt. She wanted to take back what was hers. What was theirs. These villages didn't belong under Eighth's control and it wouldn't he hers if only the Elders were still alive. She had always criticized them and she had always rebelled against their rules and judgements.

Now she only wished they were here again. Because Brystianne was tired. She didn't want to fight. It seemed she and Manarian were leading the resistance against the Shadows. And she hated it. She hated the person she had become and she hated that Manarian wouldn't ever have his dragon back. Bree knew their connection was just as strong, if not stronger, than hers and Nuk's.

She just wished this was all a dream and she would wake up in her room and have everything be like it was supposed to. But that would never happen. Ever. She even regretted putting so much space between her and Nuk.

"Let's go Nuk," Bree said.

Her nerves were jumping around and her stomach was flipping just as much. Nuk landed on the ground softly, crouching down and eyeing anyone that might have seen them.

Brystianne jumped down and looked at Manarian, waving him eagerly towards her. Lightening crawled over her hands and into her hair. Manarian knew better than to touch her now. He had accidentally brushed her arm to get her attention one day when she let the lightening walk across her skin. He had jumped about ten feet in the air and his hair had stood on end. He knew better now. So he walked a safe twenty feet distance behind her.

Bree saw red hair whip around the corner. Red hair that was almost as vivid and fiery as her own. She knew who that hair belonged to. So Bree ran after the figure. And the figure turned, her face transforming into one of horror.

"Hello Zara," Bree grinned, raising a lightening infested palm to her. "Manarian and I have been dying to see you!"

Zara & Roshan:

Roshan flew low over the canopy of trees and then glided higher, up into the clouds. Eighth had given us a mission: Terrorize the village, the one by the river. I had to do as she said, or she would torture me again. I didn't trust her not to do so anyway.... And so, here I was, heading to the village mentioned. A village that had been throwing stones at my Mistress' Dragon Riders.

Roshan growled, gliding down into the middle of the village. Everyone in the market square scattered. They knew better than to linger. I looked around and slowly climbed down off Roshan's back.

I hear dragons, Roshan told me, raising her head to look at the sky.

"Eighth's?" I asked but the dragon shook her head.

Academy Dragons. She raised onto her back legs, flapping her wings so she lifted into the air a little. Resistance Dragons. The dragon looked down at me. Don't get hurt, she said and then took off into the trees.

I watched her go and then returned my attention the villagers. They were hiding, watching the square. I grinned and drew my sword, it's blade glinting in the light.

"You were attacking us?" I yelled. A few heads disappeared. "I demand to see who started the riots! And I want to see them now!"

Silence. I sighed and rolled my eyes....and suddenly head the flapping of giant wings. Dragons. I looked up in time to see Nuk, Bree's dragon.... But was she with him?

"Damn," I muttered and took off for an alley. Behind me, I heard Nuk land and Bree talking... And guess who replied; Manarian. "Double damn," I hissed and flew around the corner. I heard footsteps following me....and then a voice. I turned, dreading what I would see. Bree stood there, Manarian behind her. He looked furious. Bree's dragon had launched himself into the air and was scanning the area-probably looking for Roshan.

"Hello Zara," Bree was grinning and her hand was raised, lightning infesting palm. I swallowed, watching her. "Manarian and I have been dying to see you!" There was a pause and she noticed my sword. "Ah, ah, ah. Drop it."

I dropped my sword, kicking it towards her. "Good," I snarled. "Die. See if I care." Bree flinched and then narrowed her eyes at me.

"Where have you been?" she asked and then snorted, answering her own question, "Eighth, of course. How could I forget?"

I backed up a few steps and my back hit the wall. Uh oh. And then she launched her lightning at me and I collapsed, clutching my chest as pain lanced down my arms and legs, and through the rest of my body. My chest ached and I could swear my heart stuttered.

Somewhere in the forest, Roshan roared in pain too. I gasped, curling in on myself, eyes clenched shut tightly. Moaning, wishing the pain would go away.

"Well," Bree said cheerily. "Now we have a prisoner."

Someone gave me a swift kick to my ribs and vision started to go black, the pain from both my ribs and the electricity pounding through my veins was too much. Eighth was going to kill me when I got back to her.

"Traitor," someone hissed as unconsciousness flooded through me.

@Ayumi and POTP: Do you want a love triangle between Fitz, Ryl and Kallo?

~Kallo~

"Well... okay..." I replied dubiously, "but can't you wait until tomorrow? Manarian's our leader, sort of, so he really gets the final say.."

A triumphant expression appeared on Fitz's face. "So, you don't have any control over me, so I can scout. Are you coming, Ryl?"

Ryl looked up uncertainly, seemingly unwilling to get caught up in any conflict between the two of us. Concern grew within me for her safety; I didn't know much about this Fitz person, but I knew that I didn't want Ryl to be alone with him away from the security of camp. Apparently her indecision was over fairly quickly, though; she stared at me with a determined expression. "I'm going too," she declared.

Oh crap. My brow creased in momentary frustration before I shrugged. "Fine then. I'll come aswell, okay?" I grabbed some soup, wolfing it down to lessen my hunger, then swung my pack onto my shoulders.

** I'm fine with that, kidashka. But we'll need to check with AyumiGosu before starting anything. Fitz and Ryl were not (as of yet) starting any romantic interest. But I think a love triangle would be fun...

Ryl

Ryl laughed at Kallo as he started gulping down stew madly. She cast a glance over her shoulder at Fitz, who had already settled himself nicely on Isold's back. He threw her an impatient look. Ryl grinned and ran over towards Bane. With a bounding leap, she scrambled into her usual seat at the base of her dragon's neck.

Bane let out a small noise and glanced toward Ryl grumpily. A warning, next time, if you please. I was drowsing.

Drowsing? Ryl replied teasingly. I thought you didn't trust Fitz and were keeping an eye on me. Bane growled at her and stood up abruptly. Ryl shrieked as she nearly fell off of the dragon.

Fitz and Isold were in the air in an instant. Ryl urged Bane skyward after them. As Ryl settled herself into the rhythmic pattern of Bane's wings, she called down to Kallo.

"Come on, Kallo! The slowest snails are the first to fall prey to birds!"

Kallo glanced up. "There are enough insects in this forest. The birds shouldn't be after too many snails. The shells would be annoying," he called back. Ryl snorted, glancing exasperatedly at Fitz.

"Slugs, then," replied Ryl, looking back toward the camp. But Kallo and Avena were already airborne and hovering at Bane's level. Ryl laughed at him. Bane grumbled irritably.