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Alexis walked down the halls not sure what to do now. Guess I'll go back to Shadow and kill time talking to him. she thought.
Alexis walked down another hall then turned the cornor and wham.
Alexis fell onto her back and moaned "ow." Alexis sat up to see a girl she didn't know on the floor in front of her.
Standing up she looked at the newcommer.
"You need to watch where your going." said Alexis "Anyway who are you? i've never seen you."

Sage giggled and stood up. "Sorry." she said. "I'm Sage, Sage Montgomery." She added holding out her hand for the girl. "What is this place?" she asked, looking around the gigantic halls. "And whats your name? Do you have a dragon too?" she started asking the girl more enthusiastic questions, maybe they could help her find her father and brother.

(To everyone but the dragons older than 150 I appear to be nothing more than a riderless Dragon.... Everyone get that?)

Asirma flew long and hard through the day, his mind brooding over the message sento to him. Worried about what it fortold would come true... Ahead he saw the jagged teeth of the mountains he must pass to find the Legion, and the Coalition. He stopped an hovered for only a moment... It had been 200 years since he was last here...

I wonder if the commander and her dragon will still be here... Though it has been so long... As he flew onwards he saw one of the towers, slightly battered from a failed landing. Best to be seen before known... He flew over to it and landed carfully. Wrapping his long body around the tower for additional support. He gathered wings in his lunges and let out a loud chirping call that echoed into the distence.

Dark times it is if I must return here.... very dark times indeed...

"This is the headquarters of the dragon coalition, my name is Alexis Greystone, and yes i do have a dragon. I was on my way to see him when we bumped into each other" Answered Alexis. "If you wish to see the commander she is a few halls back i belive but she may be talking to another rider at the moment"
Alexis looked the girl over then said "I'm going on to see Shadow my dragon. If you wish to join us you should talk to the commander first."
Alexis smiled and said "It was nice to meet you"
Alexis then turned to go outside.

Sage shrugged and skipped down the long hallway, to where Alexis had told her to go. Her long brown hair bounced behind her. Are you ok? Sage heard Ameera ask her. Of course, I'll be out in a sec. Sage knocked on a door that look pretty official to her and knocked. "Uhhhh commander?" she asked, not really knowing what to expect.

"I'll do what I can, Elspeth, but I can't make any promises. The last time I went up into the updrafts, I found it so hard to cope, I actually broke out in tears. Only Naina was there to comofrt me at that time..." Daniel admitte,d looking a little flushed and embarrassed at Elspeth saying she needed him. Even if it was just to clear some bandits and mages away. He had also admitted about crying over the loss of someone who had died almost a hundred years ago.

"As for the bandits and mages, I'll train as hard as I can... Like I said, there's a fire spell of mine that needs perfecting." He gave her a hard look as he added. "And I wasn't lying about that back there just to get out of training, either. So don't accuse me of anything, Commander. I would find that most demoralising."

The red head wipped at his eyes, getting rid of the remains of the dried tear tracks that were down his face. They made his skin feel awfully sticky. Then he took Elspeth's hand and led her away, back to the lit pathway. The night sky was in full bloom now, with it's tiny decorative stars. Daniel stared up at them for a minute, jealous. They had nothing to worry about. Before he let go of her hand and left her, Daniel turned to Elspeth and said only one last thing to her. "I love you, Elspeth." And then he was gone.

Asirma waited a few more moments then sighed. He gathered his breath once more and let out s deeper and louder chirrping call. He hoped it wouldn't take this long to reach them... since he had other matters to attend to, that called for a greater part of his focus. He let the call echo out over the area once more, hoping they heard him this time.

((Sorry got a morning class today))

((I'll post a bit later on - I've got a load of coursework to do at the moment... ))

((Yay computer labs...))

I must reach them before I depart for the second part of my mission... where could they be...

He scanned the skies and the grounds around the area. The night sky, with its twinkling stars and glowing moon, casting a mystical shine over the grounds. Asirma's hide and scales glowed and pulsed its silver-white color. Compared to the rough, dark stones of the tower and the black mountains, he was practically a glowing beacon to anyone or any dragon that looked... He scanned the grounds for the faint sight of any riders, but he saw little or no activity.

He sighed and gathered his lungs together for one final call. First was a high pitched chirp, second was a deeper warble.. now he gathered himself and let out a full blooded roar. Its thunderous noise echoing off the tower and the mountains, booming into the distent lands around him. Maybe now... the riders would come...

Dan left, his parting words almost lost in the rustle of the trees. Nonetheless, Elspeth heard. Sighing, she made her way into the main garden, thinking to sit on her own for a while, but just as she was about to perch on the edge of the fountain, a ringing call echoed across the citadel. Head snapping upwards, the Commander was instantly alert, her mind reaching out for Gaeb and within seconds, the emerald's great shadow crossed the sky above, dropping into a space rapidly cleared by the garden's occupants.

Ocean-blue cloak flapping behind her, Elspeth ran to her companion, clambering up his lowered form with practiced ease - the dragon beating his wings even before she had settled into position. A myriad of thoughts and images entered her mind from the rest of the dragons as they began to cluster about the newcomer's perch, it's silvery silhouette bright against the blackness of the night.

But it was a dragon... and yet it wasn't... even Elspeth with her borrowed senses could feel that - could see that, for the form was more reminiscent of the serpents than the lizard-like beasts she had known all her life. What is it, Gaeb? she enquired as their spiralling flight took them towards the Coalition's tallest apex.

A Daken, replied the green dragon, his tone indicating she should know the fact, You remember? They are an ancient line of shape-shifters...

Of course! Finally levelling with the dragon shape-shifter, emerald and rider hovered a few metres away, surrounded by the more curious members of the Coalition. Elspeth paid no mind though - it was their duty: if anything befell the Commander with the newcomer then her legions would take up the challenge.

Who calls at such a late hour? she enquired silently, fixing her blue gaze upon the shimmering eyes.

Asirma looked up at Elspeth directly, befpre they even got close enough to call to him. He remembered the past well... He sighed and shifted back to his human form, planting both feet squarly on the floor and standing up to face Gaeb and Elspeth. He gave a small bow to both dragon and rider in turn. He cleared his throat and adjusted his vocals to match the language they used. Taking several minutes to prepare. His once rushed thought had now calmed with the sight of the two.

"Be at peace Commander Elspeth and Gaeb. I have traveled far from my realm to warn you both of a comming storm..." He paused slightly and looked their forms over, noticing clear signs of exhaustion, if not masking something else... He turned to face Gaeb, his true purpose for talking. Altering his vocals once more he spoke the Gaeb in the Draconic language. "You may rellay this information to your rider as you see fit. But my orders were to speak directly to you....

"I know you remember me, even if the rider does not. Back 200 years, when the Onyx Dekan held the private war with the Dragons.... I was under your direction back then. I am still under your conrol. I was charged with being the messanger between for our races after the Elemental War had finished... I come bearing grave news.

"An unknown Onyx Dekan has taken conrol of the race and works to unit the rest of the Dekan races under them. I came to warn you, that I must go, for I must take my next instructions to heart. If I do not return in six days time... at the end of the seventh day.... You must call the Dragons together to silence this uprising...."

Asirma paused as he felt a twang of pain and sorrow shoot its icy spear through his heart.... He collapsed onto his knees and held himself up with one hand, his other clutching his heart. It beat sluggishly agains his skin. "Oh no.... not that...." He hastily changed back to talk to them both, his vocals half-switched so the sentence was mixed. "Forgive me Elspeth and Gaeb... I fear the Onyx may have just struck something that would be very bold to attempt... I must leave you now...."

A small breeze brushed past the tower and as it died away, the large, serpentine, sliver form of Asirma climbed into the sky and disapeared into the horizon.

Sage shrugged and walked down the way from which she came. She looked around the corner and saw the familiar form of Ameera. As soon as Ameera heard her coming she stood up and searched Sage's face curiously. Just at that moment a giant emerald dragon flew over their heads sending a gust of wind from it's gigantic wings, Sage had to grab ahold of Ameera to keep herself from flying off the ledge. I think that's who your looking for, Ameera
nodded towards the direction the dragon had disappeared to. "We can wait." Sage said, climbing onto Ameera, she placed her hands behind her head and stared at the wall of the structure.

(Day 1)

Asirma flew without stopping until he reached the Stone Roost. The landing plaza that was outside the Mountain Citadel, the main city of the Diamond Dekan. When he transformed back, the first thing he noticed was it was empty. No one in sight.... He took one of the stone tuneels to the Granite Chamber, the busiest market places in the entire mountain. No one was there. Not even to occational Jade or Amber Dekan, no children, nothing. Asirma looked around and found the tunnel he needed and headed down deeper into the mountain. What kind of monster would do this...

The Dekan left and the dragons around her began to relax, drifting off into the darkness back to their roosts. Musingly, Elspeth watched the ground come closer as Gaeb dropped through the frigid air, his wings tucked close to his body.

I thought that had been solved centuries ago, Gaeb, she told the emerald with a frown and he grunted in response, thinking equally hard. Growing silent, the Commander studied the shape-shifter's words once more. Though the Dekan had spoken to Gaeb, she was close enough linked now that she had pieced together the dragon's thoughts, deciphering the man's words easily. Do you think the mages from Syannath will take advantage?

I think they have already taken advantage, love, Gaeb answered ominously - his deep voice barely a murmur in her mind - No Onyx could've reinstated himself that quickly among the Dekans without aid. Though it was calmed - the uprising smothered into submission - it was not destroyed.

Elspeth smiled wryly as Gaeb snapped open his wings, pulling out of the dive a few metres before the ground and landing gently with a low thud. They never are, she answered dryly. Remaining in her seat for a while longer, the pair let their thoughts mingle, throwing suggestions to the wind as they always did - revising, rejecting and recreating: a habit used by the dragon race that she had long grown used to. But still, there was one question unasked.

What of the Coalition, Gaeb? Elspeth asked, leaning forward to rest her chin upon the warm green scales of the dragon's neck, Nailin is far from here - almost too far. If we send too many, it will leave the Coalition defenceless... And what of us? Where do we go in this circumstance? You yourself said earlier that...

I know, Gaeb interrupted with a rumbling sigh, But if Wordonat is involved in this, then it would not do to allow the seed to grow - no matter how far it is planted from us. We shall wait for word from Asirma; until then, I will gather a council and we will debate this at further length. Destrain was there two centuries ago: it may be a wise choice to send him again.

Sitting up, Elspeth stretched and then shivered. A cloak was never the best protection for a flight. "I saw Destrain earlier," she said aloud, sliding off the dragon's back with ease and landing squarely upon her feet, "He has a new rider, doesn't he? What's his name...? Tarwin... Tarli..."

"Tavi," the emerald confirmed with a chuckle, "Yes. He's a good lad: you remember training two weeks ago?" Frowning, the Commander's face eventually lightened and she nodded. "His skill with a blade is not particularly... exemplory..." Gaeb continued, "But he has a good grasp on his magic, even at his age. I think he would do well."

"How old is he, again?" Elspeth enquired, a single eyebrow raising as the dragon gave his answer, "Eighteen? Really?" The Commander whistled through her teeth, shaking her head with a look of worry. "I didn't think we recruited them that young any more... I don't know whether I want to send him out any more..."

"We recruit them on skill, remember, not age," he answered simply, "Besides, he wouldn't be going alone: Destrain will be with him. And who knows, most of the Coalition could be too: even you and I. It'll do the lad good." Gaeb stretched his wings luxuriously, settling back on his haunches to scratch. "Oh, and in case you hadn't felt it: that dragon and rider over there aren't Coalition residents. You may want to check them out."

Elspeth's head snapped around, her blue gaze fixing immediately upon a tanzanite dragon conversing quietly with a rider that certainly looked no older than Tavi. "Trust you to distract me," she sighed to the emerald, though the smile upon her lips masked the harshness of the words, "Alright, I'll go investigate. You go back to bed."

Gaeb laughed, bending down to whuff at her hair. "You read my mind."

Grinning, the Commander shoved his face away with a single hand. "Of course I did; now, go. Both of us will be busy tomorrow by the looks of it." Gah, I need a holiday.

Springing into the air with a few strong beats of his wings, the emerald chuckled once more. I've heard Nailin's quite nice at this time of year...

Oh, shut up, Elspeth retorted in amusement, Isn't it about time you found yourself a mate to pester instead of me? Gaeb's laughter was still ringing in her mind as she reached the two strangers and, stopping a few metres away as custom, she smiled genially.

"Greetings: I am Commander Elspeth Dann. What may I do for you?"

Asirma reached the chambers he sought for. He heard speaking and he moved quickly to a large rock and pressed his body as close to it as he could. He rolled over onto his knees and slowly lifted his fingers up over the edge of the rough rock and gripped it tight. He looked over the stone and intook his breath quickly, dropping his head, praying he hadn't of been heard.

There were Diamond Dekan, working away at havesting the wooden root used to make their zehn, but there were the other lesser races as well... the Jade the Amber, even a few of the Turquoise... and they were in chains.

Every few feet stood a Onyx Dekan, his zhen held ready, dark crimson flames pulsing over the blades. Asirma took one more look over at the slaves and slowly began to back towards the entrence...

His foot kicked a small rock and it skittered across the floor and hit the holding stone for another pile of rocks. The tumbled and crashed to the ground, kicking up small clouds of dust. Some of the Onyx turned and yells began to echo through the chamber...

Asirma didn't wait any longer, he turned around and fled back up into the deserted labrynth of the Mountain Citadel...

The Onyx, had taken over.

"Finally!" Sage grinned, leaping off of Ameera. "I'm Sage." Sage grabbed the commander's hand and shook it roughly. Then giggled as she heard an annoyed snort from Ameera. "Oh yeah and this is Ameera." She turned to her big purple dragon and winked at her. Ameera looked away and snorted again. "She flew me here for some reason." Sage looked around the structure once more. "What is this place?" she asked the commander.

Elspeth smiled warmly, apologising for the chill in her fingers as the young girl shook her hand. "Well met, Sage... Ameera..." she returned in welcome, crossing her arms loosely across her chest, "I'm surprised you haven't heard of us, though Ameera obviously has some knowledge: this is simply the Dragon Coalition. I'd like to think of it as a home for dragons and their riders to live in harmony but it has a military purpose as well. You're probably too young to remember but your dragon will know of the part the Coalition has played over the centuries."

She took a moment to take in the citadel herself, clear gaze scanning the dark silhouettes of the towers and spires and recognising each curve and peak as though it were Gaeb himself. Smiling slightly, Elspeth settled her eyes upon the young woman once more. "I've been in command here for over three-hundred years now: I guess you could say the Coalition's as close as you could get to my child. A five-hundred year old child, but a child nonetheless."

Opening a palm, the Commander indicated the entrance. "I've not yet had chance for supper; would you care to join me? The kitchens may not have a meal prepared but I'm sure we can find something and you can see the rest of the keep as we go. Will you be staying?"

Sage's stomach growled at the word supper. "Sure I'll join." she said shrugging, trying to hide the excitement of getting a decent meal. "Where should Ameera go?" she asked, looking at her best friend with concern. Ameera hadn't had a decent meal either in awhile, and Sage didn't think the rabbit was much help. Her stomach growled once more and she looked at the pretty girl, or woman, and smiled.

Elspeth grinned further as Sage's stomach rumbled, reminding her - amusingly - of Gaeb when he was annoyed. Chuckling, she rested a palm upon the girl's back, steering her in the direction of the main gates.

"Ameera is quite welcome to join us," she said with a smile, turning to the dragoness herself, "That is, if it is your wish?"

Heading through the courtyard, the Commander raised a hand at the main gates, pointing. Behind them, a huge, open archway cross-sected the largest wall of the building, flickering torches showing the grand marble walls that led the way into the main part of the keep. Ameera was easily within the tunnel's limits - in fact, she could've half-stretched her wings if she chose to - and the pale stone beneath their feet was worn with countless footfalls and tail-sweeps. The Coalition's underground quarter was one of the most noted constructions in the whole of Cirrian: simply, it was awe-inspiring.

"Very little of the Coalition is actually above ground," Elspeth commented proudly as they trod the gently sloping floors, "The Sky Quarter - as we call it - is used solely for the riders: to sleep, to eat... the Underground Quarter, however, is where the dragons reside. Each has their own space to sleep in and there are other, wider chambers that hold many dragons - anywhere from five to fifty - for eating and, well, meetings. Of course, many riders enjoy spending time with their dragons outside of their duties so it's fully-catered for us as well. If you wish to spend a few days or more here, I can assign quarters to you both: there are always a few free in case anyone decides to stay." She smiled wryly, thinking of the earlier newcomers, "We always try to make people welcome here."