Naina's eyes burned with rage. I always thought it was females who were considered stupid. How very dare he!? The carnelian bared her teeth, smoke rolling from her nostrils in an angry fashion. The air was growing hot as the dragoness' scales bristled, her spines growing more and more erect upon her back.

"You... foul, rude, onoxious, up-his-own-arse man! You're so typical! Is it any wonder I hardly trust your kind when you go waltzing around, acting like you're so high and mighty and own the place? I have a right mind to... to..." Naina growled, growing more and more angry each second. The fire in her belly burned more brightly then ever.

Naina made it her duty not to socializeith draongs. She wasn't a fan of her male counter parts, the ones she had met in the past were rude, over-powerding, bullies. She opened her mouth and a lick of flames rolled out, the air burning hot around them. Naina wanted to hurt him, despite him being injured, she wanted just to whack him one around the nsoe or something. Anything to make him get his head our of his backside and see the world didn't revolve around him.

Naina ignored his words of her running along. Instead she walked right up to him, so their nose were nuzzling. But this was hardly an affectionate gesture. Even if Naina knew her breath would not harm him, her eyes flickered angrily. Master? How dare he!? Had he not heard Elspeth words of them being equal races!? Clearly he thought himself better then all, dragons and humans. Naina thought angrily.

"Run along to my Master? Treat me like a horse? Such hypocritical words for a dragon who could not sand himself against a bunch of weak pathetic bandits, who know lies himself down to heal his deep wounds which cam from their feeble sticks they call weapons!" She spat back, glaring him down as she shoved her head right against his, in a headbutting motion.

"You are the worst! You are scum! You are lower then those lowerly bandits, you are lower then scum! You see no one else of importance in the wold exept yourself, you do not even consider your rider worthy of your prescence! You are a spineless and pathetic little lizard, who does not deserve his wings nor his power or even his legs! Scum like you should be left to crawl on their belly like the vile serpant, yet even the serpants are higher then you!"

It was cold. Very cold. And yet though Elspeth's face was nothing more than a frown of annoyance above her high collar, her heart soared in her chest - as high as the dragon himself.

Taking advantage of a twisting air-current, Gaeb spiralled into the darkening sky, his rider's short hair snapping around her wind-pinked cheeks, as sharp as lashes. Reaching the peak of the air-column, the emerald spread his wings to their full extent, gliding easily. Elspeth peered over the long curve of her dragon's neck, blue gaze shimmering in the harsh wind as she stared at the bright flecks of the emerging stars.

Don't even think it, Gaeb rumbled softly into her mind - his tone soothing - but the Commander had not yet calmed enough to acknowledge the gentleness of his voice.

Why not? she argued in return, brows furrowing further as the dragon beneath her banked towards the distant line of the mountains, Why should I be the one to deal with all this shit? Three-hundred years of command, Gaeb! Most would give up after twenty after what I've been through...

Which is exactly why you cannot just give it all up, the emerald answered, his tone unchanged, The Coalition needs you.

Elspeth humphed in contention. Does it? she retorted sharply, Does it really, Gaeb? I'm beginning the think that the Coalition can just go...

Yes, Gaeb returned simply, before she could say anything she would regret, It does.

The pair were silent for a few minutes, though Elspeth's mind bubbled like a pot of hot porridge, seemingly ready to spill over at any time. The moon began to rise, casting the citadel into sharp relief and painting the ground silver: musingly, Elspeth watched deer scatter upon the ground below, the dragon's great shadow startling them into flight.

We aught to be getting back, Elspeth, Gaeb said eventually, Didn't you say to Dan you'd meet him at the seventh hour?

Sitting upright, Elspeth mentally slapped herself. Damnit, I forgot, she answered, and the dragon felt her relax very slightly, Am I late?

The emerald seemed to smile, his chuckle warming his rider's heart. No, love, you're not, he responded, amusment in his tone, There's time enough to change if you wish.

The Commander pondered on his answer as the dragon wheeled around towards the Coalition once more. I did say it wasn't a date, she mused thoughtfully, But maybe that's just what I need at the moment... Switching her thoughts, Elspeth searched from the presence of the carnelian in her mind and, finding her energy, sent her a message.

Naina, if you see Daniel, will you tell him that I'll meet him in the gardens at seven, instead of my office? It'd be nice to talk somewhere slightly more... informal. Thank you.

To your chambers then, Gaeb enquired, his mirth obvious, and Elspeth slapped his neck lightly.

Yes, I suppose so, you abominable beast, she returned affectionately with a smile, And will you stop laughing?

"Then you accuse me of losing my own pride! You think I behave like a horse, like a dog, and let Daniel command me as he wishes!? You do not even know him! You are too cruel to suggest such horrible things about such a kind and caring rider as he!" Naina headbutted Aeon again, grinding her smaller horns against his so they clashes and caught. They were stuck together for now.

"Daniel may not be able to control himself sometimes, but he would never manipulate or use anyone, be they human or dragon! He raised me from an egg, he took me away when his village wanted nothing to do with him! He looked after him and in return, I let him become my companion, I let him climb upon my back so I would be able to experience the joy of flying with someone and not alone! I may not have had my own kind, but Daniel was good enough for me!"

"We've been through thick and thin together, we've supported each and depended upon each other! We are not, as you say, master and slave. We are two close friends, journeying through life together so we don't have to struggle through it alone!" Naina wasn't just angry now, but upset. She wanted to snap and snarl and curl up and cry. Stupid, proud dragon. He upset her so much.

"Yes, I would love to leave this proud scum to his own self absorbed thoughts!" She spat at the dragon and turned her back on him, planning to never converse with him again.

"Really!" She cried out loud, feeling misery at being accused so much in such a short time welling up inside her. He knew nothing. Nothing at all! He thought he knew everything, yet his head was as empty as a new born hatchlings!

The dragoness did not respond to Elspeth's message which she recieved a few moments after collapsing in the garden again, groaning from sudden exhausted as she lifted herself again. The Commander and Daniel would want thier privacy. Speaking to Aeon had been exhausting. He was so very cruel!

~~~

Daniel had woken from the sound of his dragon's cries. She was upset and Daniel hated that. He made certain to confront her later and demand to know who had hurt her so. He would punished them dearly, he promised himself. No matter who they were, dragon or human, they deserved nothing less then a good talking to. Or a good seeing to with more physical means.

Elspeth wants to meet you in the gardens. I can't remember when, just get there and hurry up about it. And put a shirt on! Naina told him angrily and Daniel closed his eyes in content. He forgave her, they had both been very upset today. And a few minutes later he lifted himself from his bed and threw on a loose white shirt with frild cuffs, doing up only the three buttons in the middle as he couldn't be bothered. Then he left for the gardens.

"I am not wearing a dress."

Gaeb's laughter rang through the large chamber and Elspeth scowled at him, holding up the long, crimson obsenity with clear distaste. "This," she reiterated forcefully, "Is not me."

"So you intend on wearing what you've got on?" the dragon asked rhetorically, his lip curled upwards in clear amusement. The Commander raised an eyebrow at him.

"Well obviously not," she returned, tucking the billowing skirts back into into the large armoire and pulling out a simple, loose white shirt and a pair of chocolate leggings, "I'll wear this."

The emerald laughed again. "That's basically the same as you were wearing earlier," he counteracted and Elspeth frowned, opening her mouth to argue. Interrupting her protest, Gaeb continued, "Why don't you wear your blue cloak then? It is, after all, cool in the gardens..."

Grinning, the Commander agreed.

-----------------

The braziers were glowing merrily by the time the seventh hour arrived, lighting each niche in a warm orange glow and creating a lovely compliment to the starry evening.

Scanning the stone paths, Elspeth found Dan's silhouette easily, his hair blazing almost more than the crackling fires. Moving up beside him, Elspeth hooked her arm around his, casting him a friendly smile.

"Care to take a walk?" she asked warmly, cocking a single eyebrow.

Daniel was bored of waiting. His face was an expressionless mask, his hands tuck loosely into his trouser pockets. He was hardly suprised when Elspeth came wandering up behind him and linked their arms together. "Care to take a walk?" She asked him with a warm, friendly smile. Daniel glanced at her, then looked down the pathway, emotionless still.

"If that is what you want." He replied softly. They walked around the garden saying nothing. When they passed the fountain, Daniel dipped his fingers into the cool waters and watched as the flames danced across the rippling suface. He gazed up at the tiny cupids playing their trumpets, water gushing out in an infinate flow and he felt his lips twitch ever so slightly into a sneer.

When they walked into the woodland, the flames faded so their was only the light of the early risen moon. Daniel's high cheekbones seemed like they were carved out of ivory marble. His jaw was set as they walked. He waited for Elspeth to break the awkward silence. He refused to be the one to speak first.

Tavi leaned backwards and sighed. "You know, Destrain, for an old warhorse you're not that bad."

The creek water bubbled and slurped it's way down stream into a small pond that held a few large goldfish. Lily pads and water crescents floated atop the pond in a slow, slow circular path. Tavi dipped his hand into the creek and wiped the soot off his face.

Destrain snorted without answering, he had to remind himself that it was better than having the kid knocking his knees together every time the large dragon came around. The Goldstone dipped his own head in the water, splashing Tavi.

"Eek!" Tavi jumped up and pulled the pages of his book apart and set a small drying spell on it. "I heard the commander had a love spat with Dan today."

"You shouldn't believe everything the watchmen tell you. Besides, Ellie has too much self-respect to be caught in something like that. I've known her since she was a small child, she'd never..." Destrain got quiet and began to watch the Stars. "Tavi, tomorrow when we wake... don't go to lance practice."

Tavi was leaning his against a moss covered rock. "Uh, what?"

"The lance is definitely not your weapon, and..." Destrain neglected to say, neither is the sword, the bow, the spear, the sling, the mace, etc. "I want us to take a different approach. With my brute strength and your magic... we could be a fearsome force indeed."

Tavi looked at his most recent blisters without saying anything. He was used to flying now. He couldn't honestly say that he enjoyed it, but he didn't scream like a little girl every time Destrain twitched anymore. Tavi stood up and surveyed the rest of the garden. It wasn't as nice as back home, but it wasn't bad. As Tavi looked around, he thought he could see the commander headed his way. Oh no, what have I done this time? But wait, was she wearing a dress? No, it was a cloak.

They walked around the gardens in silence until eventually they entered the small woodland, the dark canopy of trees shading out virtually all of the Stars. Elspeth looked up with a sigh, wondering if their problems were as material as hers.

"I don't know what you expect me to say, Dan," she murmured, letting go of his arm as she stopped, resting a palm upon the wrinkled skin of an enormous silver birch. One long scratch marked the tough bark and, next to it - almost too tiny to see - was a tiny etched sigl.

Elspeth's pale finger ran over the markings, a smile lighting her face briefly before disappearing. "I've told you everything I can," she continued softly, "If we are to persue any kind of relationship, I cannot allow it to get in the way of my duties as a Commander. You need to understand that."

Raising her eyes from the silver tree bark, she gazed into middle-distance, noticing an easily recognisable silhouette as she did so. Destrain, she ackowledged briefly with a nod before turning to face Daniel once more.

"For the love of the Stars, Dan," she sighed, rubbing her brow with a tired hand, "I thought you of all people would understand. Naina did, though she may have hated me for it - I don't know. Do you hate me for it?"

ooc: can i join?? here are my characters!!

Name: Sage Montgomery
Age: 16
Race: Dragon Rider
Gender: female
Appearence: Sage has dirty blonde hair and fairly tanned skin. She has some dark freckles on her face and big bright brown eyes. She has thin lips and not a very large smile. She is about 5'5" and has a medium build.
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1021/144 ... b8.jpg?v=0
Personality: Sage is a very friendly and funny girl. She loves to laugh and hates drama and other not so fun stuff. She is very dedicated and hard working and doesn't like people who judge. She is shy to boys and doesn't talk much around them. She absolutely loves animals and would do anything for them.
History: Her mother was killed, and her father and brotherdisappeared when she was young. He disappeared last year and she is determined to find her father and brother.
Magic/Weapondry: She has a bow and arrow that she is very good with and her brother gave it to her so she cherish's it.
Dragon: Ameera

Name: Ameera
Height: 8 feet
Length: 35 feet
Wingspan: 60 feet
Scales: 1 1/2 inches
Fangs: 4 inches
Looks: Ameera has a dark purple body, that fades on her neck and legs. Her wings change from purple to dark blue as they near the tips and her mane is dark blue, her eyes are a very light blue almost white.
http://www.peterson.af.mil/shared/media ... 11-003.jpg
Characteristics: Ameera has a very calm and polite personality when there are other people or dragons around. But can be very very snappy and cranky. She is very wise and doesn't talk much to Sage, unless needed.
Power: Water

MY INTRO:
Sage weaved between the tall golden blades of grass and peered through them. Her dark brown eyes spotted a rabbit about 20 feet away. Easy, she thought to herself. She narrowed her eyes and quietly and slowly pulled an arrow from out of her bag, that hung from her shoulders. She lifted up the marked and rotten bow and pulled back, leaving two fingers on the string. She let go and it shot straight through the rabbits neck. "Yes!" she said excitedly running towards the furry creature before she forgot where it was. She picked it up and sighed. She hated having to kill the poor things. Then she smelt something terrible. Her nose wrinkled in disgust and she hung the rabbit an arms length away. It must have been sick. She dropped the rabbit on the ground and stuck her non-contaminated fingers in her mouth whisteling loudly. Then she heard a loud roar a couple miles away. She saw a large mass lift from the ground and soar towards her and her beautiful purple dragon, Ameera, hovered just a few feet away. Her flapping wings making the grass bend down with her wind power. Then she landed with a thud and looked at Sage. "Here." Sage said loudly picking up the light brown creature and throwing it high in the air. Ameera snatched at it quickly and swollowed it hole. Thanks? Ameera thought, giving her a curious look. Sage giggled and said, "I didn't want it to go to waste." The large dragon rolled her eyes and lowered her body so Sage could climb on.

ooc: Is that okay??

((What part of IC = In Character, do you not understand? No sigh-ups here!!))

"I don't expect you to say anything less." Daniel admitted fully, turning away so his gaze was turned back towards the sprinkling fountain, his high cheek bones, his sparkling emerald eyes, his burning bright red hair, all his handsome features reflected generously in the soft, watm light. "You've made it clear we can be involved as long as I stop when we have to be serious . I understand, Commander. I will stop in my flirting ways."

He turned back to her, his face shrouded in darkness once again. Yet one eye, the one closet to the soft pool of the fiery glow and it twinkled in the dark, but not from inner emotion. Simply from a flickering flame. "But please, I want to tell you the reason why I refused to do training today..." Daniel was silent for a moment, before he let out a ragged, tired breath and decided to get one with it and get it over with as quickly as possible.

"I killed my younger sister in an updraft. We were flying together, a couple of decades ago. She was so happy and so excited, and she had a right to be. Her fiancee had thrown her away only a month before for someone ore 'beautiful'. He was a bastard, he knew nothing of the true beauty which lived within my sister." Daniel took in a sharp breath and it wavered as he felt emotion gripping him already.

"I took her up on Naina and we had a good time, chatting, laughing, flying. Just being in each other's company. But then... we hit an updraft. I wanted to prove to my sister I was skilled, it was alright for us to fly in such risky winds... I went to do a full circle, leaving us hanging upside down for only a second. But then... As we were up there... It was only for a second. My sister's grip wavered and she whispered into my ear: "Thank you... and remember me...""

Daniel was silent as hot, salty tears ran down his face, but he made no move to wipe them away, nor did he seem to be suffering in his breathing from his emotion. "I never found her body..." He admitted, his voice cracking for the first time. "I never got to say goodbye properly or give her a good burial... I told that bastard and he pretended to be upset, speaking rubbish about him having changed his mind about her... Changed his mind too late... My sister was dead... And it was all my fault."

Daniel looked Elspeth in the eye and this time his eyes were sparkling, with pure, raw emotion of misery and guilt. "I killed my own sister... And that is why I can never ride in an updraf again, not with people I love around me..." He looked her straight in the eye when he said that. "I'm sorry if I've gravely disappointed you in say that, Commander. I will take my leave now." And with that, he did a small bow and turned to leave her to her thoughts.

Destrain turned away from the commander and made his way to his personal quarters. Tavi looked up and followed. They passed a new girl and some men-at-arms when they got back to the main complex. Tavi didn't dare utter a sound. He wasn't sure what was wrong with Destrain, and there was no way he was going to push it. At last, Destrain spoke;

"What you saw in the garden you will repeat to no one else. That could possibly destroy the Commander's career. Do you understand?" Destrain turned a large golden brown eyte on Tavi.

"I understand." Tavi replied solemnly.

Destrain went into the stable, leaving Tavi outside.

Personally, Tavi could give a wink about the Commander and her relationships. What he did care about was a large game of Dragon Hearts he heard the guards talking about earlier. He was good at Dragon Hearts, real good. Destrain retiring early had given him the chance he needed to get away. He almost jumped into his room and began to shed his Rider uniform. He donned a light blue tunic and some dark fingerless gloves. The light coming from the hallway cast long shadows as Tavi passed through the Rider's Hall. He scooted down to the pub, his body almost shaking with anticipation.

"You want two cards or three?" grumbled a large guard with an even larger mustache.

"None." Tavi replied smoothly. At that two of the men and the dealer folded. Tavi looked at the remaining player squarely in the eyes. This guy had played as smoothly as Tavi; folding and calling at all the right moments. The man had a Goldstone and an Onyx face up, he only needed a few more to get the complete Earth set. Tavi had a Fool and a King face up, he only needed a few more to get the Court set. Earth beat Court, but Tavi knew the other man didn't have the complete Earth set. Tavi had one of the Earth set in his hands. Hopefully the man didn't have ANY of the Earth set.

The man had come into the fort out of no where. He claimed to be a traveling Bard, but Tavi hadn't seen him play a song yet. What kind of Bard passes up the opportunity to make coin in the presence of soldiers? Soldiers were always willing to pay for good music. Maybe the guy thought he could make more at the game. Even Tavi didn't know the pot was going to get this big, and Tavi had a sixth sense when it came to chance. He could almost feel the falling of the dice, the shuffle of the cards. This guy was something else, and Tavi would bet whatever he won tonight that it wasn't a common stranger.

The Bard put down a Red Seer and two Knaves. Tavi grinned as he set down another Fool and a Pearl Dragon. Fools beat Knaves. Reaching his arm out, Tavi began to sweep his hard won gold into his bag. He was about to propose a round of drinks, on him, when the Bard cleared his throat.

"You look familiar." He scratched his chin in mock thought. "Aren't you a Dragon Rider?"

A couple of guards shuffled quietly.

"Yes, yes I am." Tavi cleared his throat as he tightened the draw string on his sack.

"Dragon Riders have magical powers, don't they?" the Bard queried. A guard confirmed this by nodding his head. "Ain't it a bit peculiar that you waltz in, a kid who ain't prolly nevah been in no pub, and waltz back out with sack o' gold?"

There were a few grunts of agreement and a few -Now wait just one minute here...-'s before fists started flying.


Two hours later Tavi sat next to a drunk in a jail cell, they had to separate him from the others. He was being charged with False Representation and Assault. It was just his luck that the guard who happened to go bankrupt that night was also the one who arrested him. Tavi pushed the drunk's lolling head off his shoulder and went over to a cot. A cot that had stains that Tavi dare not look at. He lay down and began to drift off.

"Daniel," Elspeth said softly, stopping him with a gentle hand upon his shoulder as he moved to leave, "Why didn't you tell me before? Your sister's death was no fault of your own - you should not blame yourself for something she had already decided to do herself. There was nothing you could've done. Would it not be best to remember her as she was: the happy, energetic, joyous young woman she used to be?"

Dropping her hand, the Commander slipped her arm around his own, turning him to face her. "I need you, Dan. You are a skilled flyer - your sister clearly knew that too - I need you to confront this fear and be the rider I know you are."

Pausing, Elspeth bit her bottom lip slightly, thinking. "Gaeb can sense something," she admitted then, her voice low - though most of the dragons knew of what she spoke of already. She had asked each to keep the knowledge to themselves until the time came that she could reveal it but - she told herself - exceptions could be made. Besides, her Legion would know on the morrow anyway.

"There has been increased activity along the coasts -" she continued, "both bandits and hunters - and the Stars cannot answer our questions as clearly as they have done in the past. I've felt this before, Dan - I can sense what Gaeb sees, although it is more like the feeling of being watched than anything else... the last time was two-hundred years ago. Do you remember? If the mages of Wordonat are to breach our protections again, I'll need you more than ever."

Sage plopped herself onto Ameera's saddle and sighed. "Where to now?" she asked, leaning forwards and spreading out. "Let me just fly around and think for a moment." Ameera thought, starting to flap her wings, not even waiting for Sage's reply. "Whatever." Sage replied shooing her hand, flying was one of Ameera's favorite things to do and Sage wasn't going to be the one to keep her from doing it. She wriggled around and layed on her back staring up at the sky. She felt them rise and Ameera soared up into the clouds. Sage's eyes started to droop and she placed her hands under her head and drifted off to sleep.

*An hour later*

"Sage, get up." Ameera said sternly, shaking her torso slightly, making sure not to shake Sage off. "Wh-What?" Sage said sleepily sitting up and smacking her lips. "Look." Ameera nodded her head in front of them, and Sage peered around Ameera's large shoulders. There where dragons in the front of a massive structure, bathing in the sunlight. "Let's go check it out." Sage said bravely nudging Ameera forward. Ameera landed lightly on the stone and Sage nimbly slid off looking around. "You wait here." Sage said patting Ameera's shoulder. Ameera looked worriedly towards her, giving each dragon a nervous glance. "You'll be fine." Sage said smiling. She walked through some halls and turned around thinking she heard someone behind her. "What the!" Sage screamed as she fell to the floor along with a pretty girl.

Asirma rested against a tree, watching the falling leaves as the sun rose into the sky. He turned at watching the tiny ripples on the lake from a gentle breath of wind that pushed from the north east. He watched as the stalks of the tall grass bowed and turned like living ripples in the air, turning their silvery sides to the sun and reflecting its light. He looked up as clouds of white and a light alomst, non-exhistent gray drifted lazzily overhead. He took a deep breth and exhailed slowly. True peace.

A solitary white feather drifted from the wind, its small, frail for sailing the breeze like a high wind. Asirma frowned. The feather driffted, as with a purpose towards him. He watched it with his eyes, remaining motionless. It drifted down and rested on one of his hands that lay, palm down on his armor. He slowly reached with the other and picked it up. Twirling it so the side that landed on him could be seen.

His eyes narrowed.

He read the message inscribed within the gaps between the quill and the feather. He tossed it high into the air and its color changed from pure white to black. Before it fell strait to the ground, where it would shatter into a multitupe of tiny pieces. Asirma rose and stalked away from the tree with great purpose and speed. A small, white cloud blocked the sun's rays for little more than 3 seconds. When the sun emerged once more, the dark shadow of a long dragon could be watched, rushing over the field and a faint reflection of the white being as it soared to some unknown location.

The dust of the enchanted messanger picked up in the gentle nudges of the next breath of air. And were carried away to the horizon, to some unknow location. Their words only known to whoever sent it and Asirma...

High above the sun reached its throne of its climb, where it would sit for only moments before begining to fall once more.