OOC: The OOC thread is located HERE. Post all your characters there... then come and roleplay here.

"We humans are such foolish creatures to think with our "vast" intellect we control this world. The lands despite small disputes here and there was a place of peaceful harmony. The Dragons flew high above us in the skies and swam deep below in the oceans depths, keeping the ancient pact to watch over humans and protect them from harm. A pact that had been made with the first man and first dragon, a tradition carried out long before anyone could remember. But it was human nature to fear and resent things more powerful than mankind, our new leader a coward in his own right was the first to speak out against the dragons--at first it seemed like a simple mistake, but then Hatchery's where being destroyed, the tiny unborn chicks slain before they had a chance for life. The dragons called it blasphemy and at once rose to the skies for war, The humans followed suet and thus the first great war began. In a great valley dragons of every kind lined one side, and our foolish humans lined the next, weapons of mans great creation waiting to serve a dark and bloody purpose. The battle field was scorched black, blood stains of dragons and men melded together across the plans that some called The Plain Of Death. "Man has fought and won for his right upon the earth!" Cried the ruler, when on the first day of the new year, the dragons had retreated and no one had seen them sense. For some it was a day to celebrate, for others... secretly it was a somber sad day to morn the last time anyone would see a dragon again. And yet.. on the second morning of mankind's said victory, another threat appeared, From deep within the earth we had awoken their slumber.. They so resembled the dragons that at first we where shocked they had returned--but no. These creatures where no dragons, their red scales, their pure black eyes.. and with them came warriors, human-looking armor clad beasts, with horns like the black beasts they road. Their weapons outnumbered us.. and almost at once we where overwhelmed by them. A year of war... that was all it took for the world to be completely overcome. When one was taken down.. three rose in its place, an unstoppable immortal army had come to enslave our planet, and we had banished our only hope for freedom." | "Thus ends the race of man." The old man sighed, sitting up a little straighter in his chair and setting down the large leather bound book he had been reading from. Tyr Ahriman, a long retired Dragonologist, now an elderly story-teller to the youth of his small crumbling village. "I wrote that on the second coming of the Argotians." Tyr's face was grim, his age was truly starting to catch up with him, and the sadness that never again he would lay eyes upon a dragon.. his elderly heart seemed to crack at the very thought. Placing a shaking hand on his chest, he gazed around at all the faces that had been listening to his tale. A small child who had been clinging to her mother spoke up, gazing right into his eyes. "M-Mister Ahriman.. Will the dragons ever come back?" For a moment he could do nothing but ponder her question, then with a small smile he replied. "Maybe someday dear child... If man can repent.. many someday.."

Elan walked the dusty path to a small village. The one with the famous Try Ahriman. The famous dragonologist. Or so it is said, in which I comes from. He looked to the side of the path and saw this man and a robber the robber attacked and the man flinched but he didn't get hit. And the robber was on the ground with his pale hands on my angel rod. "Try me, for if you do you'll die right here and now." Elan said. Then Elan took the staff off of the robbers throat and made it dissapear. Then when he turned his back on the criminal and walked a few steps the robber took out his dagger and charged. Elan wouldn't have known but the opponet must have recently robbed someone because the sounds of coins clashing and shaking in his pouch. Elan quickly took out his staff and jabbed the robber in the stomach causing him to caugh up blood. After a few seconds he removed the staff from his opponet and put it to his side. "I told you." Elan said as the robber lay on the ground coughing and breathing heavily. He went to the robber and took his money he walked to the other man sitting on the ground scared and shaking. "Here y..." Elan tried to say but the man cut him off by saying. "Please don't hurt me! Here have my money, all of it!" The man said holding out money. "I'm not going to hurt you I'm giving you money." Elan said as he dropped the money he took from the robber into the man's hands. "Th-thank you." The man said as he left a few coins for me then left. I bent down and scooped up the money with my right hand holding my rod in the other. I continued my walk and used my rod as a walking stick when he reached town he spotted a grim old man assumed it was Try. "Excuse me sir are you Try Ahriman?"

Billie tossed the stained brown rag over her shoulders as she turned her back on the customer who had just ordered a round of dark brew. She grabbed five wooden mugs from the high shelf and filled them until the thick foam raised above the brim.

She turned back to the bearded traveler and handed him the mug with a smile, “It‘s on me.” The man gave her a flirtatious wink and placed several gold coins the counter, more then what the order was originally worth. He then left the bar and returned to a table where his friends sat awaiting their drinks. She picked up the money, putting it in a pouch underneath the counter, before pulling the rag off of her shoulder and continuing to clean the heavily worn bar that she worked behind.

Today wasn’t a special day by far. The tavern had its usually drunkards sprinkled here and there that sat passed out at the rickety wooden tables. The live band wouldn’t come until nightfall which was when things became much more interesting. So far the day had drug along although there were rumors that the king’s soldiers had strolled in to town. Visits from the king’s personal weren’t out of the ordinary by far but the odd thing about it was there was a lot more whispering about these usually mundane events. People were intrigued by the uniform coated men who only came to stir up trouble then leave. They were in town looking for something or someone very specific but no one was sure of what. Billie knew the soldiers would stop by the tavern later on the evening to ask her if she had heard anything strange and she was sure something would come of their visit.

She sighed heavily later wincing as the pressure of her corset seem to increase exponentially. She placed one hand on her hip, ’Mental Note: Don’t breathe.’ The painful tan dress she wore was required by the owner of the tavern, who was out of town, but she didn’t mind. The tight corset bodice accentuated her shape and increased the volume of her pocket book. The front had a scoop neck with white lace accompanied by ¾ sleeves. The dress itself stopped just below her knees revealing her peanut butter shade calves and humble leather shoes.

She finished cleaning the bar as best she could though they were still blood stains, scratches and dents that decorated its once beautiful surface. It hadn’t been properly polished in years just like the rest of the wooden furniture in the store.

OOC: So I guess I'll just be IN said Tavern. Sorry for the confusing-ness. >w< And his name is "Tyr" -- And I hope I'm not Godmodding you Alice.

The crowd within the tavern had begun to thin, every few nights Tyr would leave the sad solitude of his small cottage and travel down the road into the village tavern for a drink, sometimes even a hot meal, then leave for the week and only return when he felt the bite for a drink sting his throat. Tyr Ahriman was a handsome man in his youth, and even in his aging years he still held a somewhat youthful look in his eyes, the look of an adventurer and explorer, something that he would never loose. His hair which had always been long and black had begun to gray, and after a few years of having a beard overtake his face, he now kept it clean and straight, so his mouth and nose where visible once again. Lines of age grew across his face, though he refurred to these wrinkles as "wisdom lines"

Something that would always make the owner of the bar laugh, but the owner wasn't there this evening.. another woman wore the owners dress.. not looking to happy about it either. Tyr had known Billie for a while now, or at least he had seen her about.. sometimes she had brought his meals and drinks. He could have sworn sometimes he had seen her out of the corner of his eye, watching him as he told the children stories of dragons.

Ahriman heaved a deep sigh and gulped down more of his drink, gazing down with emerald green eyes at the burn mark that trailed from his fingertips up across his shoulder like a great blackened tattoo. Not one of his fondest memories of his days as a Dragonologist--but still a memory none the less...

Giant yellow eyes gazed down at a younger Tyr Ahriman, who had been traveling through the eastern part of the world in search of a rare breed of dragon known as a Kyvex. It hadn't taken him long to find it.. then again, it was more like it found him. Tyr was foolish to tread in its territory, and would pay the price. Swooping down like a giant green blur it knocked him clear off his feet, then landed with a crash above him, gritting its large gleaming white teeth. Teeth that dripped with an orange saliva, which was in fact what made it so dangerous, Giving its bite a bit of acid. It was not so much the bite that Ahriman feared, it was the flames.. but he was careless--jumping to try and save his belongings, he made a false move and set the great beast into a fiery rage, its mouth opened wide...

Tyr was snapped from his rather unpleasant memories by a voice to his left. Lifting emerald hues to a man who stood before him, his eyes held a suspicious glaze as he looked the man up and down, taking in his appearance and the rod that Elan held. Contemplating his answer for a moment, he gave a heavy sigh--what did he have to be afraid of? He had not broken the law, and as far as he knew.. no soul knew where he kept it. "Yes.." He continued to eye the stranger. "I am Tyr Ahriman."

OOC: You’re fine Kanashii. Everything you posted would have been true anyways.

Billie grew weary of standing around behind the bar with no action. She threw the rag in a wooden bucket filled with alcohol tainted water and exited from behind the wooden structure. She seemed to shrink by a few inches as she stepped down from the uprise of the bar and stood on the same level of bruised wooden floor as everyone else.

‘Time to socialize,’ she told herself as she made her way around the quaint tavern. She would touch one customer on the shoulder and ask them if everything was fine, occasionally stopping to flirt or engage in a conversation she found interesting. She wasn’t worried about customers becoming irate by her absence. Quality and good customers service wasn’t by far a priority of her’s or the owners. This of course wouldn’t stop some drunk in the future suffering from withdrawal to demand service in a hostile manner but Billie had had her share of rough-ups by patrons. She learned the best way a girl could that the hitting of just any girl at the tavern wasn’t acceptable, especially not the girl who poured such hearty servings of ale.

As a cloaked figure walked inside, Billie sat amongst a few sailors whom she had grown familiar with. Tyr was the man’s name who sat but a few feet to her right by himself eating the food that had been prepared a few days earlier. Nothing could be considered fresh at the tavern but no one seemed to complain about the quality of food unless they ran out of hard alcohol. She had never seen the cloaked man and cautiously watched him as he approached Tyr.

Compared to most of the sailors, travelers and mercenaries that frequented the tavern, the cloaked man seemed delicate. The man was beardless and seemed out of place but it was only Billie’s perception. As for Tyr, she had never talked to the man, not sure on how to approach him at the moment. Most of the scholars she ended up talking to were old enough be one of her parents, though Tyr was looking closer to the part with his graying hair, she still felt awkward. The combination of his youth and knowledge made him intimidating to her. She only knew his name by eavesdropping on his conversations. She had been most intrigued by his stories, or atleast what she could catch. And the rumors and grapevine stories she would here from those whom he had entertained. The tales made her smile and blush in hunger for the adventure. She had found herself jealous of this lucky students of his, to be able to sit in his company. But alas, the people who knew her best would believe she was taking a pass at Tyr if she were to approach him, due to her reputation, and would tease her long after he left. Even if she only inquired from him his knowledge, it was still expected of her to take physical interest in him, but that was the cost of the lifestyle which she had chosen.

She licked her lips in disappointment without letting the emotion take over the rest of her features. She turned her attention back on the tattooed sailors who had begun their falsified tale of mermaids and sea dragons.

Adriena was sneaking around the streets. Her face was streaked with mud and she wore a hat that held up her long locks of hair. Her dark green eyes gazed out among the peasants, her fingers curling over the corners of a wall. She was small and was able to squeeze into tight places. She was glad for this since she was hiding from a particular person right then.

"ADRIEN!" yelled someone off in the distance.

Adriena ran. Her heart was pounding as she headed in the opposite direction of the shouting figure. It saw her and waved to his friends and soon a group of men were racing down after her. Then again they were more like boys. Sure she was twenty two herself, but she acted more like a child every day.

Adriena had been running from them because of the fact that she swindled them out of a few gold coins. She was always good at that and usually she was able to get away from them before they actually realized. This time however she had been caught instantly and had to make a quick get-away. She gripped her the hat tightly to her head with one hand, very glad indeed to be wearing men's clothing. If Martha caught her however, then that was a different matter.

Martha was the woman that had taken her in at that young age. She was happy for that but very disappointed when she was made to wear a dress. She could just imagine now hearing the screams of Martha when she realized a set of Gene, her husband's clothing was missing.

Adrien glanced behind her spotting the men falling behind. She quickly dove into the Tavern, squeezing through people to hide herself. She headed to a sink, looked around before washing her face and removing the dirt and taking the hat off to let her black hair fall to her shoulders. It curled towards the bottom, wrapping themselves around her arms. She ran her fingers through it a few times before stopping and taking a seat. She looked around and through the corner of her eye saw the famous Dragonologist, Tyr Ahriman. She had heard his stories and enjoyed them greatly. She had always wanted to see a dragon for herself but felt it impossible for her to ever escape the burden that Martha laid down apon her. She saved Adriena and she wouldn't let her forget it.

OOC: Its been almost two days now. We will continue without gold dragon, and if he comes back... he's welcome to jump into the story again. I just hope everyone else hasn't left. -- Feel free to take over the guards for me.

Ahriman had been engaged in conversation with Elan for the past hour, the boy had been mostly interested in what Tyr had done in his younger years as a Dragonologist, and though he loved telling stories about dragons and his fantastic discoveries, it pained him to dwell on them too long. Reaching into his pocket Ahriman pulled out a small sliver watch, on the front carved into the silver where two dragons twisting themselves around each other, centering a small flame design on what looked like a mountain. He popped it open and glanced down at the time--if he was to walk home he should start soon--Bidding Elan goodnight Ahriman stood and walked towards the door then halted, the door opening before he could reach the nob.

It opened with a bang, and from the darkness came four soldiers of the kings hall. The Tavern fell very quite, watching as the men walked in. Most of the soldiers that where sent to small villages such as this where there to keep things in check, to rat out those who would appose the Vakkar. They where traitors to their kingdom.. and then again--so was the king. He had bargained with the leader of the Vakkar.. Abraxas, Giving him power over the lands in exchange for his life. The king was a fool who simply didn't wish to die, and Abraxas saw him as a pawn, and in return for sparing his life the king would keep his castle and his money, but he and all who served him would work under Abraxas as their high lord.

These knights where just like the rest, either drunk and spurring trouble wherever they could, or else abusing their power and flashing about their swords at anyone who stood in their way. Ahriman felt the scars on his back tense slightly, he had once gotten into trouble with the guard, though he was no fool--he knew that the true owner of this tavern would have never returned from the guards station if it had not been for him. And he was strong in his own right, able to withstand a few lashes, it was nothing compared to a dragons flame.

His smug emotions must have drifted to his features, for one of the guards broke free from the thrall and pointed at him, a slight slur to his voice. "You there, what are you smirking at?" Tyr quickly wiped the smile from his face, replacing it with a look of confused innocence. "I was merely welcoming our towns guard into this pub with a warm face.. My lords." He kept his voice silky smooth, biting back any sarcastic tones with as best restraint as he could. "Who are you..." One of them said stupidly, but his fellow guard cut-in. "Your Ahriman." He glared, moving a few steps forward away from his gang.

"I thought we told you never to come into this place again.. this is ours." Ahriman would have replied with a witty retort, but he hated to cause trouble for the town and its people. "I was just on my way out." He lifted his hands as a way of surrendering to them, he had a hidden dagger in hos pocket.. but a dagger would be out matched by their swords, and the drunker they got, the more dangerous they became. Tyr walked past the men, slowly to show he meant no harm, but once he had set foot on the stairs he felt a sharp pain in his pack and fell out the door into mud and dirt. His legs felt numb as a surging pain rang out through his head and back, followed by laughter somewhere behind him. The knights filed out of the tavern and stood around Ahriman, one kicked at his side while the rest of them laughed, saying something about dragons and pathetic old men. It was best just to lay there and let them have their fun... it would be worse, if he resisted.

Adriena watched the guards enter, her body tensing up. She lifted up her hair and wrapped it up before placing the hat on once more. The group of boys had already left and it was okay for her to leave but she wanted to hear more about the dragons. Quietly she followed after Ahriman, her hand covering her face as she slid past people.

The guards of course were causing trouble. They were drunk, the stench of some type of strong alcohol was thick about them. She wrinkled her nose and finally made her way around them and outside. The air was much fresher. She leaned against the wall waiting for the man to leave so perhaps she could walk with him and get a few answers out. She was too curious.

She wasn't expecting him to be pushed out however and certainly did not like the way they followed. The kicking of the side was enough to make Adriena remove herself from the wall and head towards the guards. They shouldn't be doing something like that to anyone.

"Hey! Hey! Stop!" she said as she pushed her way past them to stand infront of the man, her arms out wide.

"Stand aside boy, this isn't any of your business." One stated while the others nodded in agreement. Adriena bent down offering her hand to Ahriman and helped him off before walking in the opposite direction ofthe guards. She could hear them arguing and when she heard she shuffling of feet, she ducked as a punch was swung at her. She turned around swiping her feet underneath the guard making him fall. She knew what she had just done was going to cause some major trouble.

"Uh oh." she said realizing that they were probably going to attack then. She checked her side to see if she still had the darts that she had in a pouch and they hung loosely by a string. She clutched it and turned towards the guards waiting for their move.

OOC: Didn't want you to be left out, so I made sure you'd be at his house the next day Alice. :>

The guards where for the moment stunned that anyone would even try to appose them, and it took only a few seconds of disbelieve to buy enough time for the head of the guards to stroll down the street, he eyed his men first, then looked Adriena and the figure of Ahriman who was hurrying to the scene. "What have we here?" His voice was cold and short, even the air about him seemed to be getting colder. "Trouble-makers Sir, The old man was threatening us, and this boy stole my coins." One of the guards said, a small smirk on his face as he jerked his head towards Adriena.

"Do you think you can lie to me.. You incompetent fool." The guards smirk fell from his face as his superior spoke, the rest of the soldiers now held looks of slight fear themselves. The only one who could make a knight stop in his tracks, their leader. His name was never spoken, so no one knew it. But it was simple knowledge that he was not a man to be messed with. If a man ever resembled the cold heartlessness of a Vakkar, it was the one that stood before them now. "Get out of my sight. All of you." He hissed darkly, causing the guards to jump and walk off with a fast pace, clear to get some distance between them and their superior.

"I don't want to see your face again Tyr Ahriman." He turned his dark eyes upon Adriena and they narrowed. "And you, you shouldn't be out so late.. where are your parents? Or would you prefer a trip to the guard towers dungeon tonight?" That was Ahriman's queue to step in. He stood slightly in front of Adriena and gave the man a small quick nod. "He is my responsibility. My grandson.. from out of town. He's new to our laws and customs, forgive his innocent mind."

The man glared down at them both, but after a moment turned. "He dose resemble you a touch.. Just keep him out of trouble and out of my sight." Ahriman nodded and gave a small bow towards the man, not speaking until he had walked away and was surely out of ear-shot. "You where foolish to interfere.." After a moment his face softened into a smile and he stood a little straighter. "But I'm happy you did. A few less bruises for these old bones to bare." He gave a small chuckle, then turned to the Tavern, motioning for Adriena to follow him. "Billie!" He called out through-out the tavern, hoping to get the woman's attention. "Would you please deliver my usual meal to my house tomorrow morning.. I will excuse you for the day from work.. I'll pay you double normal delivery fee." He waved her farewell, then headed out the door, again beckoning for Adriena to follow.

They walked the long path from the village to his house and only stopped once they had reached it. It was small and somewhat falling into disrepair, but who could blame Ahriman for letting the place go, he was getting on in age.. and their seemed no point to cleaning up--he never had visitors unless it was a delivery of food from Billie or the Taverns owner. "Excuse my mess.. I have far to many trinkets for my own good." It was true. The house was littered with objects one didn't often see, if ever. In one room to the left of the doorway was something that looked like a study, it was full of books and on a cluttered desk lay many papers and something that looked like a large sharp tooth.

Tyr walked down the hall and lit a candle, taking it into a small sitting room and leaning down to the fire place. Taking a small bottle from over the fireplace, he poured its insides across the wood, only a few drops. Striking a match he set it down upon the wood and with a large burst of flames the fire began to crackle merrily as if it had been for hours. He saw Adriena watching him and shakily stood up, removing his coat. "Essence from a Dragon's Fire-sack.. Very useful if your not to handy with starting a fire. Burns for days if the wood is applied." He sighed, sitting himself down in a crimson chair beside the fire.

His emerald eyes glanced down at his arm, looking at the black scar he had received years ago. "Your welcome to the bed across the hall. Its far to late for a young lady such as yourself to be traveling at night." He turned his eyes to the fire, his face suddenly sad and deep in thought. "Its to dangerous for anyone to travel at night anymore.. Now that they are here."

OOC: Thanks. I'll be sure to check this bored more often from now one.

She wasn’t at all surprised by the guards upheaval in the humble tavern. As a matter of fact, she turned to watch in almost amusement. A fight was a fight and in a tavern of such low morality, it was entertainment. Her eyes grew wide with each blow as her and the rest of the party at her table cheered for the two civilians silently. No one dared to upset the guards further, all knowing of their capabilities. Her eyes darted back and forth between Tyr, the unknown girl dressed as a young boy and the drunken guards.

She breathed heavily in anticipation as if it where her fighting along with them, now apathetic to the sharp pains of her corset. Her mouth hung, seemingly unhinged from the rest of her face. She bit down on her bottom lip in attempts to mask her awe but her eyes were wide as plates. The pregnant silence grew exponentially to the point of suffocation as the leader of the guards approached the ongoing brawl. The large mass of a man was intimidating in itself but his reputation and lingering rumors would outlive his appearance. She had heard many tales of his brutality and shivered at his harshly spoken words. Needless to say, Billie and the rest were pleasantly surprised to see Tyr and his accomplice walk away with their lives.

After Tyr and the girl left, the guards stayed behind at the request of Billie. She cooed over their bruised egos, serving them free brew by the barrel. She knew this would be for the best as they wouldn’t hold their animosity against Billie and the Tavern and the wooden building had been threw a fire once before. The rest of the travelers who stayed remained silent until the Guards become so drunk that they were ushered into the back rooms to sleep off their intoxication. After that, everything returned to normal as if it hadn’t happened. No one wished to speak of the said events incase a guard was to awaken and no one wanted to celebrate the mini-revolution that had taken place in fear of the same consequence. Instead, they sipped their brew in suppressed merriment, occasionally allowing a commemoratory smile grace their dirty faces.

A little past night fall, the Midnight Keeper arrived. He was an elderly fellow who looked after the tavern and the adjoining inn after Billie either fell asleep or retired to other activities. Tonight was a special occasion though. She had asked of his arrival earlier then usual and instead of dancing and drinking the night away, she would execute her plan.

She was going to deliver to the two rebels a care package from the tavern. It would also give her a chance to speak with Tyr about his legendary tales, which of course was her main focus. Knowing that she wasn’t willing to sacrifice anymore money, she hid her interior motives and instead gathered up the men and women of the tavern in small groups. One at a time, she would preached in secrecy to each group of how the two should be shown gratitude. This way, no one could confide outside their group and it would maximize the amount of money she could swindle from their penny purses. The drunken people of the tavern turned their pockets inside out and gave at Billie’s whim. With the money, the Tavern nor her own pocket would come up short from all the free things she had given up that night and with the financial bar intact, she didn’t risk upsetting the owner.

With a smile on her face and a horse that a traveler had offered instead of gold coins, Billie set off to Tyr’s home. She had donned a large cloak to hid her person and the large leather satchel with which she carried the gifts along with other traveling equipment. With the speed of the four-legged beast beneath her, she made it in a quarter of the time that Tyr and Adriena had walking. She tied the horse to a nearby tree and made her way up to the door. She gave a quick yet friendly rap upon its wooden surface and awaited Tyr to open it.

Ahriman had just begun to settle back before his years picked up the soft rap on his door. A small smile traced itself across his elderly features as he stood with a wince for his side, being kicked isn't the most amazing feeling. Putting up a hand for Adriena to stay where she sat, he walked slowly over to the door, he knew who it was.. and was over joyed she had come so quickly. If she had not--They didn't have much time, and it was good to explain things before they must leave.

"Come in, Billie." He said softly as he opened the door to face the young woman who was draped in a traveling cloak. Laden in her arms was an assortment of traveling equipment along with a few parcels he was sure was foot and gifts from the tavern. "Now that we're all here. You must know it all from the be--" He paused, the wind had rustled the leaves outside.. he could smell it in the air.. they where close, possibly to close for comfort, but that only meant he would have to make his story a short one.

Leading Billie inside he motioned for her to sit beside Adriena on a slightly dusty couch near the fire. Before he sat himself, he bustled off into the side room that looked like a study, picking up a few scrolls he stuffed them into a bag along with a small necklace with a cracked white crystal in the center. He moved across the room and from a shelf pulled a long thin box down, placing it under his arm. "Now.. where are you." He mumbled as he continued to search, throwing objects at random into the bag, until he finally stopped and bent down to pick up what seemed to be a rock the size of Ahriman's head. "So that's where you where hiding.." He chuckled as if talking to himself, then walked back into the room, setting the objects down on the table between them, and making sure to set the rock a little closer to Billie, his eyes upon her.

"This will be our first test." He said softly, then turned his eyes towards the fire, the emerald hues alight with that adventurer spirit that could simply not be broken. A few moments passed in silence, only broken by the merry crackle of the fire that licked around the logs Ahriman had placed there a while ago. "Before I explain any further." He finally spoke, turning his face towards the two girls, a strange smile on his face. "I must tell you the past, to better understand your future." He stood and walked to a bookshelf beside the fireplace, running a finger across the books until he came across a leather bound copy of 'Wings of Fire', a book he had written only a year prior. Walking back to the fire he sat down in the comfortable looking armchair and opened the book, flicking past the pages until he found what he was looking for. First looking up at Adriena and Billie, then back to the pages of his book, he opened his mouth and began..

"I had been traveling for days, my supplies beginning to dwindle, forcing me to move further up stream where I was sure to find food. I thanked the heavens above for my survival training I received in my younger years.. for without it I knew my journeys would have ended long before now. When I walked further I discovered a clearing where a large pond fed the stream I had followed. If I had been younger I would have simply run forward to the water and near by pear tree and stuff myself full to the bursting--lucky for me my age served useful in this moment, I was wise enough to be cautious as I walked forward, taking note of the scorch marks across a nearby rock as well as the large gouge marks torn into some of the trees to the left of the pond.

Pleased with the fact that a Dragon was in fact inhabiting this forest as rumor had it--I had to be careful. My first suspicions where of a large Brute who had slashed at the trees to mark his territory and scorched the rocks to show his strength to other males and possible mates that tread in his forest. How mistaken I had been--if only I had taken into account that the marks in the tree did not look at all like claws, but rather scratch marks where a dragon had rubbed against the tree to relive itself from an itch. After setting up camp and waiting for several days I began to wonder if I was to late.. maybe the dragon had moved on after smelling my scent in the air.

On the sixth evening in the clearing I had a delightful surprise, the greatest moment in my entire life of Dragon Documentation. As a sat down to my tiny fire to eat a rabbit I had trapped earlier, the winds picked up, obliterating my fire and placing me in almost total darkness--The sunlight waning I strained my eyes to see--and did I see. A magnificent white scaled beast flew down from the sky, touching the water with hardly a sound.. amazing agility and grace for a creature of such mass. The Dragon seemed to have not noticed me, although I new this to be a simple trick.. far to intelligent it was to have not sensed me watching, though it did not seem threatened or concerned at my presence.

...And then it did something I will never forget; With a slow rippling movement its scales chanced from white to pale blue, its tail, face and limbs turned webbed, and it bolted down into the depths of the pond, almost invisible under the waters black surface. I had seen sky dragons, devoted to the heavens which live high in the mountains peeks. I had seen water dragons, lurking deep within the seas and lake beds. I have even seen the hellfire dragons which live in the depths of our world and swim like fire serpents through hot lava. But never in all my years had I seen a dragon that chanced in such ways, and so quickly at that.

Shocked for a moment I could not speak or even move for that matter, to grab my sketch book and begin drawing out what I had just beheld. As I regained feeling in my limbs and the numb tingle in my brain faded, dread began to flood in--I had just seen what was most likely the most magnificent dragon to walk the earth, and I had just sat there--not even attempting contact or to even identify any significant markings that may bind it to a dragon previously recorded. As I sat there wishing to smack myself over the head with one of the tiny fires hot embers, I was wrenched from my thoughts when the surface of the water broke, birthing forth the great dragon whom as it touched the grass its scales rippled once more it changed into a earthy green and brown dragon, with horns curling and jetting from its head like tree branches or antlers like that of a buck. its great violet eyes gazed unblinkingly upon me, I will never forget those eyes... they made me feel so small and insignificant. Never would I have thought a Dragon would dare speak in the ways of man, and I was again bolted into awe as the great beast opened its powerful jaws.. and spoke to me. -- To my readers I must apologize deeply for hiding the words of which the Dragon spoke, I believe with every fiber of my being, it was for my ears.. and mine alone. After my journey into the forest ended, I returned home to write my final book and give name to the phenomenal being I had met. The Equinox Dragon."

Tyr Ahriman closed his book after finishing his tale, turning his eyes to both women before speaking softly, a smile on his face. "Questions? We have until dawn--Not as much time as I had hoped for.. but enough time to give out as much information as is needed, and to test you both. Billie.. Why don't you pick it up?" He ended with a small wink, looking down at the large rock. It was a beautiful sight, maybe a large crystal? White with a light green twisting around it--was it just a trick of the light? Or had moments before, that stone been a gray twirled with white?

(I'm only allowed on the computer an hour a day so I'll try to keep up as much as possible. If I fall behind, i'll probably ask for a summary of what I missed. )

Adriena had walked with Tyr back to his home. It was a great save for him to refer to her as his grandson. She was glad that they saved each other. The thought of being in a dungeon frightened her greatly. Her feet shuffled across the ground, not really speaking. She wanted to ask questions about his stories but felt that now wasn't particularily the time.

When she entered his home, it was cluttered. There were many artifacts hanging around. She actually liked the place, it feeling homier than her own. She took in a deep breath enjoying it. She smiled at Ahriman and took of the hat, her black locks falling out of the wrap. So he did know she was a woman? At least it saved her an explanation. She thanked Tyr for the room and crashed down apon it soon falling asleep.

When Adriena woke up the next morning she heard a tap at the door. She left the room and into the living quarters. It seemed a lot more messier in daylight really. When Tyr opened the door, Adriena recognized the girl from the tavern, Billie. She gave a half smile before sitting down on the dusty couch. She hunched over, much like a boy not really caring however the way she looked.

The story was what intrigued her the most. She listened with intent ears, her eyes widening at the part where it changed. She grinned when he talked about it resurfacing. She was curious at to what it had said to him but refused to ask knowing that it probably was only meant for his ears. She grinned, leaning back again when he had finished his story. The Equinox dragon sounded beautiful, if only she could see it. What a sight.

Adriena looked at the rock and watched the light glint off of it. It looked brilliant. Adriena could nottake her eyes off of it. She was in mid reach of touching it when Tyr asked Billie to. Adriena quickly pulled her hand back and watched Billie stroke it with her index finger. She looked rather unsure of herself. She wanted so badly to hold it, to touch it, to feel it's texture.

"It's beautiful..." she whispered.

OOC: Alright. No problem. I work from 10 - 2 on someday's, then do homework.. but me and Alice may go ahead a bit in the story, but I'll be sure to include your character, not really godmodding.. just making sure your character is noted along the way. <3 My post feels lame. ):

Ahriman watched as Adriena fought back the urge to touch the stone. He had brought them both here for the same reasons and if Billie was not who he thought she was.. there was always a small chance--but not, he could already tell she was the one. "Destiny is a funny thing." He said softly as he watched her finger come in contact with the circular object. It seemed at the very moment she touched it it began to tremble from side to side, its trembling only increased and soon it almost seemed to vibrate though stayed in the same spot before Billie and Adriena. "You both must wounder, what the dragon spoke and you will be the only ones to know." Ahriman said with a low chuckle.

"It told me your names ...Who you would become. She told me to take her last egg and protect it from what was to come." Ahriman paused as the egg stopped trembling and began to roll across the table away from them, then fall to the ground with a crash. He held out a hand, making sure neither girl would move. "It is a miracle to wittiness the birth of a dragon in these times." He moved slightly forward, gazing over to where the egg had fallen, for a tiny being was string, under half a cracked shell.

Quivering it hid under its now broken womb, it was not frightened, more adjusting to the temperature, no matter how hot it was in Ahriman's house it was much hotter within its egg. It opened its mouth, making an assortment of humming and clicking noises before lifting its body from under the shell pieces and with a surprising force, bounding up onto the table. Within their sights it was unmistakable what it was... A Dragon. Its body was pure white and it was smooth to the touch, each scale in perfect placement of each other. Its tail was half the length of its body, wagging as it survived the room, seeming to not yet notice anyone.

At first it seemed the little hatchling had no wings, but when it stretched slightly two white wings unfurled away from its body and pulled out to their full extent. Its eyes, now fully open began to notice that it was not alone, its eyes fell suddenly upon Billie and it gave a few low clicks of pleasure, then turned on Ahriman and Adriena violently violet hues carefully surveying its surroundings. Without any warning the dragon bounded from the table into Billie's lap, where it settled and curled into a ball.

"Excellent!" Ahriman said clapping his hands together and looking at both girls. "He seems to favor you Billie." He gave a short laugh, then turned emerald eyes upon Adriena. "Don't feel left out in this tale.. If you are who I believe you are.. Then this, belongs to you m'lady." He spoke of her.. as if she was royalty, fumbling in the sack of of objects before he pulled out the small crystal necklace upon the silver chain. "This is an artifact crafted by the Dragons themselves. The crystal is constructed of sand taken from the bottom of the ocean floors, infused with the flame of the dragons of the skies.. And it belongs to you Adriena." He smiled and passed it to her, once in a while glancing down to look at the fledgling who was still curled up in Billies lap, opening its eyes now and again as if it was listening to each word he spoke.

"The rest of the trinkets I have for you are two swords, a few maps... a few books you may find of interest." He glanced at the crystal he had given Adriena. "There is something else I should mention, before we all should sleep.. The crystal will be of great use to you, it will glow red when danger is close at hand." Ahriman stopped, then tapped his forehead with his hand, a heavy sigh escaping him causing his bruised ribs to ease up slightly. "And yet.. I have not said where I expect you to go.." He looked up, at both young women and gave another sigh. "The Dragons.. the rebels, possibly the only things that could save our world. With a Dragon at your side it will be much easier to seek them out of hiding. I am asking of course.. that you find the remainder of the Dragons.. and ask of them to return not as mans protectors.. but.. as protectors of this earth. They are our last chance at survival.. I only pray I was not to late in seeking you two out.."

Ahriman smiled at the two women, his eyes flitting between the two and often falling on the little dragon who was emitting a low growl that sounded almost like purring, arching its back each time Billie stroked it. He would have spoken on the subject of her ability to take care of herself and her ability to take up this task.. but he knew better of it. It would be dangerous and he knew what he asked of them was more than he could ever ask of anyone. But not just anyone could touch the Equinox Dragon Egg and cause it to burst forth. For years the tiny dragon had slept, its connection to the human it would choose to be its master slowly drawing the human forward, closer and closer, step by step in its direction.

"I have two guest rooms down the hall.. One to the right and another to the left, take whichever would suit you best." Tyr bowed his head slightly pointing in the direction of the hallways which lead to the bedrooms. "If you need me I'll be in my study. I have.. Much to think about." He walked off muttering to himself as he went. The dragon it seemed was waiting for Ahriman to leave before it slid from Billie's lap and waddled over down the hall and into the guest bedroom, which was surprisingly void of scriptures and other objects. It was small, no windows, but a tiny table beside a bed, with a map of the castle town stretched out across it.

The dragon ignored all else around but the bed, which it jumped upon, curling innocently into the blankets and gazing over at Billie with bright violet eyes. It gave an annoyed chirp, as if informing her it did not like being so far from her. Sleep was easy to fall into, though it was nice be out of that cramped egg, he was beginning to think that he would be full grown and that egg would still be compressing his body into its tiny womb. It felt so good to be free, to be able to stretch and snuggle against something warm. He had to admit.. he had chosen well--or rather fate had chosen well.

And so it was that during the night the young dragon's dreams melded with that of its master, he dreamed of warm flames wrapping around stone and sky, of wings outstretched to the heavens and being able to look down upon the world and realizing how small it all was--While he also fell into her dreams, he wished he could comfort her feelings of foreboding, but eventually he would be able to shelter her under his strength, repay her kindness and love in full. In the morning he wondered if she would notice her palm, the white colored, oval shaped, scar that had formed there, as proof of their bond.

Ahriman had been awake for hours and it felt as though he had not slept, he woke Adriena first, then rusted to wake Billie. The hatchling had grown somewhat, and now was about the size of a full grown Labrador. He growled darkly at Ahriman, it was not an angry growl and Tyr knew that.. it was protective, protective over the beauty that slept before him. "Billie, tell Zaydenletourafelgov to quite himself." The dragon snorted and shook its head with disgust. 'That can't be my name.' - Ahriman sighed and shook his head. "Fine. Zayden.. quite yourself. Their are Vakkar assassins making haste from the village to my home.. You and Adriena must escape into the forests. I can hold them off and give you at least an hour head start."

Zayden's growl only grew louder at the mention of the creatures.. The Vakkar. A normal sized dragon would have no trouble to deal with.. they where like ants to him, small insignificant ants. But in his present form he was no match for their strength.. and he dared not leave Billie's side. Rubbing his side against her leg and giving an affectionate chirp he gazed up at her out of violate hues. 'Lets make haste.' Their bond was so fresh, he wondered if she could hear his voice within her thoughts yet.

Adriena was completely and utterly jealous that the egg had hatched for Billie. The dragon was a beautiful thing, its scales a glorious white. The wings were barely visible until it stretched them out. The violet hues of its eyes were so bright and Adriena just stared into them. Billie was lucky to have such a fine specimen of dragons choose her and Adriena could not take her eyes away.

She snapped back when Tyr handed her the necklace. It was very attractive but Adriena did not feel anything special towards it. She did not acknowledge the way Tyr spoke but grasped the words. She took the necklace and put it around her neck letting it fall down to her chest. She gave a faint smile before staring back at the dragon. It sounded as though it was purring and Adriena couldn't help but feel sadened by the fact that Billie got a dragon while she only received a necklace. Could she really be that selfish?

Adriena got up and walked to the room the dragon did not choose and crashed on the bed. She rubbed her temples trying to keep the thoughts of madness away. She felt as though she had been cheated in some way. She would have loved to be one with a dragon, and not just any dragon, the Equinox dragon. But she knew destiny had a reason for picking Billie and not her. Maybe it was because they had something in store for her? She didn't want to think about what problems would lie ahead in their journey but sleep would not come.

Hours had past and still Adriena was awake, her eyes staring at the darkness of the room. She was convincing herself not to be mad or jealous about the dragon. Billie was chosen and it was final. She just had a necklace. Looking down at it then, she noticed something. The necklace had begun to glow red. She rose quickly and soon her door was opened and Ahriman was telling them to get up. She hide the necklace behind her shirt and hurried after Ahriman.

Ahriman hurried off into the hall and out of sight and Zayden would have followed if it had not been for the thoughts suddenly flooding his mind. His tail twisted around Billie's leg, holding her back from following the old man and shortly after removing it he gracefully pranced across the room opening a chest with his front claws and diving his snout into it. After a few moments of rummaging around the dragon pulled back, a long thin pair of brown pants tangled around the two graceful horns atop his head. Zay strolled back towards Billie, tripping over one of the pants legs and falling clumsily onto the ground. Gazing up at her with an innocent look, he shook the pants from his head and laid down on the ground, covering his face with the two great wings, which had grown in the short time that they had slept.

"Hurry." Tyr called from the living room, already giving a bag of supplies to Adriena along with one of the elven made swords. He knew that they must make haste and yet.. he felt it must be said. "Adriena." He gazed down at her, noticing the strange look upon her face. "Do not resent me or Zayden for choosing Billie as his master." He gazed down at her out of emerald pools, eyes flitting for a moment towards the silver chain, the necklace hidden under her shirt. "Your purpose on his journey is something of great importance. When the time comes, all will become clear." Ahriman rested a hand on her shoulder, then turned his other palm up, exposing to her the oval scar that rested there.. yet it was not as bright as Billies, it was skin toned.. and was beginning to fade.

A sad smile traced the elderly mans face as he watched the dog sized dragon bound happily into the living room making sure to keep close with Billie. "Take my horse Adriena.. And, I'm sure you also traveled here on a horse Billie?" If it had not been for the sudden growl Zayden gave, Ahriman's place in this tale may have ended there and then, he turned on the spot and lifted his hand in front of his face, for from the shadows came a creature.. a creature that not even the most vast of imaginations could conceive.

Its body build with pulsing, twisting muscle covering each inch, Gray brown toned skin And a face of nightmares. The facial skin seemed to stretch further than was normal, its eyes where oddly placed and seemed to serve little purpose. The mouth was stretched further across the face, almost seeming to split the head in two, rows of sharp teeth lining every inch they could. But the rest of the body was hidden beneath a black cloak, its jaws wide in a vicious smile as it launched toward Ahriman. From his hand shot a blast of heavy light, appearing there, a sword that drove itself into the back of the beasts head--with amazing speed it flicked through the Vakkar's body, splitting it down in two halves and sending a jet of green blood gushing from either half.

"Get out of here." He yelled slicing at another being that bounded from the shadows. "Out the back. Now!" There was no time for hesitation, Zayden nipped at Billie's hand and raced for the backdoor, charging it down and with help from his wings, taking large leaps across the ground. Once he was sure both women where mounted he turned to lead them to the forests, but stopped when he heard a loud shriek and the terrified whinny of a horse. His first thoughts 'Billie' But no.. Adriena. Zayden turned and charged toward Adriena and her horse, the Vakkar had jumped on top of the horse, its clawed fingers ready to strike down and end her life.

With a heroic leap towards the creature, with no idea what he would do next, the dragon opened its jaws as wide as they would go, exposing its sharp teeth. Zayden bit down hard and felt the warm gush of blood travel down his throat and across his face, felt the creature struggling within his grasp, but did not release until the twitching stopped. He released it and realized he had severed its throat. With no time to waste the dragon gave a loud growl with several clicks and bounded into the forest keeping the sounds of horse hooves in his ears making sure that they did not fade or stop.

The had run for what seemed like forever, and several times Zayden had lifted into the air on not fully developed wings, though he had to land and run, his strength was waning, and he dare not draw strength from Billie so early. But they where safe.. for now. He had lead them far into the forests and began to stop running, panting slightly and gazing around at his surroundings taking in each inch of forest. To their left was the start of mountains and.. What luck! A cave! Zayden gave a pleased snort and pranced over to investigate, sniffing the air beside the cave for any signs of life or scent of creature that would lurk there. He could smell.. Dragon? No.. Bear and it was long gone. Low population of pray had driven the bear to find better food, perfect.. they could rest here.

Not to far from the cave was a tiny stream of fresh water which could also serve them well. Zayden began to make himself at home, though he knew he must contribute to their camp and began grabbing logs and sticks dragging them across the ground with his mouth towards the entrance to the cave where he would let them rest. He was unsure if he could breathe fire just yet.. so a fire starter would be somewhat of an issue.. unless Ahriman had packed such an object in their bags. Ahriman... He had saved their life. Zay felt guilty that the old dragonologist had stayed behind to protect the little dragon, if he had been of larger size.. he would have been able to save him, and it was because of him that Tyr may have very well been dead.

But No..

"Tell us where they were headed. Man Scum." The Vakkar held a bloody and battered Ahriman up to face him, glazing down at the man who seemed barely alive. Defiant to the last breath, was the way Tyr saw it. "They will.. obliterate your kind.. You can't stop what has already begun." He spat in the face of his captor who gave a furious roar and opened its mouth wide with the intention of biting his head off. "Take him with us. He may serve one last purpose before his life ends." Said a stronger much larger looking Vakkar. The other growled and tossed Ahriman over its shoulder, gazing down at the two dead comrades that Ahriman had managed to kill, along with the one Zayden had bitten. The three that remained alive raised their heads to the sky giving screeching howls of rage to a bloody sun that rose on the first morning of a new day.

And so, the journey began.

Adriena gripped the bag of supplies Tyr had given her. She knew he probably could see the expression of jealousy in her eyes which was why when he mentioned it she wasn't surprised. She nodded thinking carefully of the words she was about to say.

"I know I should not be. It is not my place." she smiled weakly.

Adriena looked down at the oval scar. It was definitely not like Billie's. His was more faded and looked to be withered. He had a dragon but there was something very wrong with it all. He was sadened when looking at it. Her eyes widened as she put two and two together. He must have lost his dragon in some way. She knew know was not the time to ask him. She gripped the sword tightly, its leather handle rubbing against her skin. She attatched it to her belt and placed her own hand apon Ahriman's shoulder, a great smile apon her face.

Adriena headed for the horses when something made her stop. She could hear Zayden growling. She turned around and let out a shriek of terror. A creature stood before them, it's appearance vile and disturbing. Adrien's heart raced with the fear of everything suddenly ending right there when Tyr suddenly cut the creature in half. Green blood spurted about and some of it landed on her clothing. A hissing sound came from the spot and she quickly ripped off the part that had gotten on her shirt.

She quickly realized the blood was not like acid but the sound did cause her to look around. There were more than just one. There were about five others all coming at them. She rushed through, dodging and ducking away. Once outside, her eyes frantically searched the yard for the horse Tyr had told her to take. Seeing it, she jumped on grabbing the already prepared bridle and reins. She turned suddenly to see one of the monsters had followed and was now about to kill her. A shriek escaped her lips as she thought that she was going to die.

Zayden saved her life. He had came suddenly out of no where, biting down apon its throat and killing it. Adriena was frightened, her body shaking. She had never thought she would be this frightened. It just showed how much she really was female and not a male like most people believed. She nodded her thanks at the dragon before taking one final look at the house. She wanted to go back and help Tyr but she knew that he had probably intended this and wanted them to continue.

Adriena slapped the reins and her horse began to gallop after the dragon. He was heading into the forest, his body rising up and down every now and then. His under developed wings were stretched out catching a bit of wing to help him glide back down to the ground. Even in her state of panic, she couldn't wait to actually see the dragon fly once its wings were fully in. It would definitely be a side to behold.

Adriena turned the horse down a sharp turn, following the dragon and trying to keep it in view. When they came to a certain part, she noticed the cave and thought that that was probably most likely where the dragon would head. Her thoughts were confirmed when Zayden went inside. She brought the horse as close to the cave as possible and then removed herself from its back and wrapped the reins around the tree a couple times before tieing it into a knot. She pulled a couple times to make sure the horse could not get away.

Adriena watched Zayden grab and carry wood over into a pile. She suspected that it was for a fire and she looked at the sky. It was still rather dark outside. She shivered and headed to the pile. Reaching into her pocket, she removed her own flint and steel. She looked around and grabbed some of the dry grass and some weeds by the ground and stuffed them close to the wood. She then took the flint and began to strike down on the steel. Sparks flew and soon a fire was roaring before them. She smiled and went to the bag. She saw attatched to the side was a small pan and she took that and filled it with some water from the stream and brought it to the fire. If they needed to put it out, the water would be there.

Adriena sat down bringing her legs into her chest and wrapping her arms tightly around them. So much had just happened she could not process it all. Remembering the necklace, she reached down and pulled it out looking at it. The red was now gone which meant they were safe for the moment. That was always good. Adriena sighed and looked outside the cave. Was Ahriman dead? She did not know but felt that he was still alive. He had saved all of their lifes and she wished she could have stayed behind to help him. Now that Adriena had an adventure, she wasn't so sure she really wanted it.