RolePlayGateway™

((I will post again when i feel it has been about 3 days time in the RP, no point in writing the event when he has to tell you))

((That's fine, Hunter, though you're quite welcome to post more detail about what's happening to him in Nailin while we're moving the Coalition days along. Like: where he runs to, what problems does he get, what does he see, etc? Oh and, in general to everyone, could you put all questions and OOC comments in the OOC thread please? I'm just trying to keep the IC thread as clean as possible... Cheers. ))

Naina watched the disappearing figure of Gaeb,with a dot for Elspeth sat atop himand she felt an uneasy feeling grow in the pit of her stomach. Can this be good?... I think now. It was then she turned to see Daniel striding towards her. When he raised his head to see her, his proud stature seemed to deteariorate and he flung him so he could fling his arms round her neck and burry his face in her scaley hide.

"Oh Naina..." The dragon touched the top of his fiery red head with her carnelian muzzle and then she looked to the skies again. "Elspeth is going elsewhere... She could get in trouble..." Daniel turned to see what Naina was looking after.Should we go help? Naina spoke into his head. Daniel watched after the spot where Gaeb had once been and then answered simply. "Yes."

Asirma pressed his body close to the stone pillar... His breath was long and struggled. He peaked around the edge, but drew his head behind. His armor was cut, ripped and singed. His skin showed minor cuts and bruses, along with a huge gash up his left fore arm. He had hastily healed it so the wound stretched open at times.

He listened to the echoing shouts and footsteps headed this way. He sighed and calmed himself. He focused some energy into his zhen and seperated it into two. With his breathing normal his heart began to slow from its rushed pace... He held both blades before him, as a razor sharp and diamond hard layer of ice coated the blades. He gave a short sigh and pushed off the collum and sprinted back down the only tunnel that lead to the chamber.

Sounds of battle and angrey shouts soon began to echo through the shell of a citadel once more...

About 15 minutes later, Daniel rejoined Naina outside the castle, tightly securing the top toggle of his leather toggled waistcoat, over a different shirt. This one was black and actually had a layer of chainmail within the sleek black material, made by the elves. It was so small, the black shirt simply looked shimmery in the soft light of the glowing torches. His hair blazed brightly as he stood strong, steady steps towards his carnalian dragon.

He threw a rug over her shoulder blades where he could sit - there was no time for saddling and reining up and Naina had suddenly become touchy on the subject, hissing inwardly about being 'treated like a horse...'. Daniel had said nothing, but made a personal oath that he would a) he would have a word with the one who had upset her so much and b) he would never make her feel like such a lowly, slave driven animal again.

Daniel straped his sword to his side and even found a simply bow and quiver in the guard's store room, which he promised he would return, once he was done finding and helping Elspeth out. They took flight and they flew as quickly but as strongly as they could to go after Elspeth and Gaeb. While they did so, Naina was positive she might have caught a glimpse of someone walking below them, someone familar, but she did not inform Daniel as it was currently unimportant.

Ameera watched to the girls leave and headed down towards where Elspeth had pointed. She navigated herself through the tunnels, knowing that Sage would be safe with the commander.
~~~~
Sage stared in awe at the huge courtyard. She had never seen a place so big. Her stomach growled again and Sage stared harshly at it murmuring "Stop it." The growl echoed through the tunnels and she blushed. "So there are more dragon riders?" she asked the commander, trying to stifle her upcoming giggles. Her stomach was becoming very annoying, but she wanted to laugh for some reason. "Are the dragons nice?" she asked her. She didn't want Ameera to be picked on, but she wasn't too worried. Ameera had a sharp tongue and knew how to use it. Sage knew that better than anyone. "If we're welcome we would love to stay here." she turned to Elspeth smiling. They could rebuild their strength and be out of everyone's way in a couple days.

Asirma struggled againes the chains as the burning hot tip of the zhen dug into his flesh. "Who sent you?" The deep voice practically screamed at him. Again he twisted his wrists and attempted to kick off his bonds with his feet. His arms were already free, but until he loosened his legs he was screwed either way. The shadow dre closer to his face. "I'm going to ask you again...." The dark flames lept across the zhen once more and burried into his flesh. He cut back another scream and bit into his already bleeding lip. "Who sent you..." He loosened his bonds around his feet...

Ameera wandered down one of the latter tunnels, leaving the two riders to continue down the first. Gradually as they travelled, the tall, white marble ceilings developed into huge black and white murals, the Stars depicted in all their stark beauty and cold disdain. There was Amaryllis - the Sovreign Star - her black hair rippling over pale alabaster shoulders and two silver streaks in her forelock; there was Kaspar, his proud, stern features moulded into a look of distaste as he stood outside the gates of the heavens; and Foertis - the Star of Journeys - his trim, black beard so different to the others that it stood out like a sore thumb.

Elspeth settled her gaze on each contemplatively, lingering a little while longer on Foertis. My Lord, you don't leave much choice in the matter, she mused to herself sadly but the thought was interrupted by a loud grumble from the young girl beside her. The Commander turned her attentions to Sage and smiled.

"The kitchens are just around the far corner," she commented, and sure enough the door ahead of them swung open in a haze of faint smoke and strong scent - the freshly baked bread the most prevalent among them. Still smiling, Elspeth weaved her way through the crowds of cooks and kitchen staff, ackowledging those that greeted her on the way.

"So are there more dragon riders?" Sage asked curiously - seemingly in an effort to avoid thinking about her hunger - and Elspeth nodded, reaching for a herbed loaf and handing it to the girl before claiming another for herself.

"The Coalition is probably composed of about fifty to sixty percent riders, twenty to thirty percent foot-soldiers and the rest civilians," she told the young girl, claiming a lump of hard cheese and a couple of apples - one of which she tossed to Sage - "Though I supervise all in a sense, I usually have a legion of about half-a-dozen riders and dragons that are specifically trained under my command. It'd be too much for anyone to cope with more than that. In a war - as in previous centuries - my legion is simply named as the 'Commanding Legion' and each rider and dragon commands their own small group. So, for example, if you were trained under my command and a war suddenly broke out, you would be promoted to Lieutenant-Commander and given control of your own legion."

"Are the dragons nice?" Sage asked then - her arms now full of food - and the Commander laughed, taking a bite out of a piece of bread and chewing on it thoughtfully before answering.

"I can't really answer that question," she replied with a wry smile, heading towards the Sky Quarter once more in the intent of finding quarters for the young woman, "Dragons are like human: each has a different personality, so you'll get those that are friendly and welcoming and those that are less so. Both you and Ameera will learn quickly which are which. The majority will stick to their orders and generally respect those living here but others are more... difficult. You just have to learn to deal with them as best you can. Even if that means walking away."

Arriving outside an oaken doorway, Elspeth stopped, drawing a ring of small keys from her pocket with her free hand. Unlocking the door, she opened it to display a large room in which there was a dresser and table, a fireplace with two soft armchairs before it and a comfortable looking bed. Handing the key to Sage, the Commander met her gaze warmly.

"You may stay here for as long as you wish," she told her, "Even so far as to be permanent if that suits you. The Coalition is at your disposal; if you need clothing, then the clothier downstairs should be able to provide you with a few basics and you may buy more appropriate items if you'd rather. If you have no money, then there are plenty of jobs available to earn your way for both of you. In terms of armor and weaponry, civilians are not allowed to bear arms but if you apply to train in one of the legions you may earn the right to carry steel as well. If that is your wish, come and see me on the morrow and I'll see what I can do."

Lowering her head in acknowledgement, Elspeth smiled again. "If you'll excuse me, I must leave: there are some things I must prepare before I retire for the night. Enjoy your stay."

Turning, the Commander left the young rider to settle herself in, and headed towards her office, food in hand. Entering through the old yew door, Elspeth kicked it shut behind her and moved over to the large desk, dumping her meal unceremoniously onto the worn surface. Moving to the dully flickering lamps, she increased the airflow and instantly, the room brightened, chasing the shadows from their corners. Settling herself into the wing-backed chair behind her desk, the Commander drew a piece of parchement towards her and began reading, right hand already reaching for the small loaf of bread.

It was going to be a long time before she would get any sleep.

(Good to se someone else respond after i brought this from the depths. I'm assuming its night and almost the start of the 2nd day.)

Asirma inhaled a quick breath and let it hiss through his teeth. His icy cold touch of his zhen on the burns instently numbed the burning sensation. He left it tere for moments longer until the stinging feel of skin anf flesh and blood slowly freezing started to filter in. He moved this way to each burning gouge mark on his legs arms and chest.

Once he was finished, he set his zhen off to the side, breaking his link to it and canceling the magical enhancement. He gingerly touched the spot on his neck above the collar bone. It was bandaged in haste and felt raw underneath, it was also damp, soaked with his own blood. He took three long, deep breaths before removing the cloth. It clung to his skin messily from the dried blood. He placed his hand around the wound, feeling the barb that had dug and clung into his sensitive flesh underneath. He carfeully pushed his fingers into the wound, his blood coating his fingers as they slid across the barb, trying to grab ahold.

With his second hand he tried to open the sides of the wound, to grant him access to remove it with little problem. He counted to three and pulled. The barb caught his skin and tore a wider gap, but it came out.

He dropped the barb and it hit the ground with a small ring. He placed both hands over the now profucely bleeding wound. Sending his energies to the gap to heal it. He bit his scabbed lips as he could feel the itching sting of his flesh and skin sew back together with magic. As soon as the wound was closed and clean, with no more loss of blood, he collapsed on the dark stone floor.

Sage smiled after Elspeth then turned towards her window. She sighed heavily, she found a place to stay for awhile. Then she remembered the commander's words, but if you train with one of the legions. Sage thought about that, should she train? She shook her head, she didn't want to think about that quite yet. She set her food down on the bed and hungrily bit into the apple. She groaned with pleasure, she hadn't eaten anything that good for awhile.

Arimis swung his hatchet in his bloody hands, long since soar and numb from the brutal, continuous labor. He looked at the Jabe and Amber Dekan behind him and sighed. Their frail bodies shook violently with evey swing of their tool. They had tried to escape earlier ad were taken to a seperate room. Their screams of bloody agony still haunted almost everyone else for the rest of the day. Every once and a while an Onyx Dekan would lash out with a fiery zhen and leave a brutal cauterized scar on the back of them. Arimis felt the sting from his five already, cruley shapped in the form of talley marks, so the final one cut across all exposed skin and already bady wounded skin.

His back stretched and shrunk with his arm movements and his vision began to blur. But he fought it all. Because he had seen Asirma earlier... He had been chased away by the Onyx but he hasn't been dragged back yet... that ment he was still alive and fighting. There was a hope.

Asirma was the leader of the Diamond Dekan Healer's and City Council, as well as the head officer of their own army. He had fought with the Coalition during the Elemental Wars with commander Gaeb and Elspeth, the legendary leaders even by Dekan standards. If Asirma was still alive, there was a chance to see freedom.

But the guards talked about the brining of the Stalkers... the Onyx Elite Soldiers of their ruler. If they came here before Asirma freed them... hope would be lost... or forgotten. Arimis prayed inbetween hatchet swings..... Please! Let Asirma free them and escape this night mare..... Please!

He worked away in darkness, wondering if the Stars heard his hollow prayer in the echoing cave that was burried deep under the Mountain Citadel in an unknow location. He worked with hope....

Hope that Asirma was still alive and free....

Hoping to see freedom...

From the shadows an Onyx Stalker watched him, examining his movements. Planning on how to crush this Diamond Dekan's hope...

Along with everything else in its body.

The air was cool and refreshing as it blew through the bright red locks, skin tingling as it was cold and the body of the young man had unrecently been submerged in the warmth of the Coatilation. Daniel sighed in content as he leaned back and stared up towards the night sky, stars twinkling as if they were laughing and pertering him, reminding him how fine and dandy their existence as minature suns were. Naina's wing beat was regular yet soft at the same time. Her silouette blackened out clearly with the pale, full moon behind her.

"I know you're hurting... So why must you put yourself through this?..." She asked into her companion's mind, feeling his unsettled emotions churning round him, as he felt the knot in his stomach tighten. "I have to prove to Elspeth that I can do this..." He spoke through their mind link back, fearing if he would speak aloud the magic spell of calm around him would shatter and he would left being a nervous wreck.

"I don't like this... I sense danger among the trees..." Naina told him, gazing down towards the forest about 300 feet below. "Besides, we'll need to go higher to catch the updrafts..." "I know Naina!" Daniel shot back, annoyed. "I'm not completely unpudent!" His tone was filled with accusation. "I'm sorry, Daniel..." And then the silence that stretched out was thick with awkward tension.

Daniel felt uneasy, knowing he had no right to snap. Naina had experienced an equal amount of embarrassment and possibly ridicule that night. He stroked her scaled neck in apology, admiring her lovely colour through the darkness. "I'm sorry, Naina." He spoke aloud. "I'm just... I'm scared." He admitted, his hand clenching into a fist as he felt like hitting something. He swung his curled hand down upon his knee, making it shake as it came into harsh contact with his funny bone. "Damnit!"

Naina waited a bit for him to calm before she decided to speak, but before she could she caught sight of a fire beanth them... Then a long and sharply tipped spear came whistling up from the camp and the carnelian dragoness only just swerved to avoid it. "What the--!?" Daniel cired out but he was cut short as a fleet of arrows came soaring through the sky and Naina dived to avoid them. But even so, several scratched the delicate skin of her wings and she bit down to stop herself calling out in a hiss.

"We have to get out of here!" Naina told Daniel, her first priority forever being her faithful friend and beloved Rider. "Climb higher... No!-" He changed his mind as Naina was forced to drop as more arrows came, these ones blazing bright with fire. "Dive!" Daniel changed his mind. "Close to the trees as you can!" The carnelian dragon dived right into the trees, as they were as tall as castle spires and thankfully gave enough room to fly through. Several arrowsout of the many that flew after the pair made the dry leaves upon the forest floor catch alight.

Pretty soon, the forest floor was abalze with fiery leaves, yet still Daniel managed to hear over the flickering flames and he heard the hooves of horses, which stamped out the flames in their wake. He had barely time to curse, he mind was so preoccupied. Naina also caught the stench of the four legged beats in her nostrils and growled loudly. She was just about to speak to Daniel when she brought herself abrutely upwards, casuing the red head to slam into her spines. One went right through his shoulder, as he had the sense to turn his head away.

He hissed in pain and Naina's eyes glanced back at him in worry as he pushed himself away from her, his new wound now gushing out blood. He held it with one hand. "Don't worry about me!" He shouted over the flames as the dragoness flew on. Daniel could see she had stopped because of a large fence, designed for catching large beasts. "Just get away as fast as you can and--" He was cut off asthe fiery arrows were now replaced with spears, tens of them flying through the air. Naina twisted and turned, flying up and down in a vain attempt to avoid them.

Daniel cried out in pain for her as she was struck on her legs, her wings and her tail. Then she turned and twisted away from the last one and the Rider relaxed for only a moment, before a last and seemingly late spear flew out of no where and struck her in the heart. The dragoness finally cried out and fell to the ground, landing on the edge of a clif and falling free throguh the air, before the cliff became a slope and Daniel was tore from her back. The two fell at different speeds, but both of them cried out in shared, unbelievable agony as the spear was broken and wrteched around Naina's breast.

The two landed side by side with a spalsh in a river and their blood spread throughout the clear waters and stained the banks. Daniel had only time to send out one mental message, praying it would work even though he had experienced no training. Naina was unconcious and the young man could feel himself slip into after he had shouted to the woman he loved: "Elspeth... Help me!!"

Forehead resting gently against her folded arms, ink scrawled over her skin like spiderwriting from where she had leant upon it, Elspeth dozed quietly, virtually overwhelmed by the mountain of parchment that lay strewn across the dark wood of the desk like snow. Nor were her dreams peaceful: monsters flitted in and out of the darkness, insubstantial shadows that she could hardly make out - let alone destroy...

One reached, crimson eyed, for a small silhouette - another as giant as a sun attempting to swallow the Coalition whole - and torn between the two, she stood frozen, unable to make a decision... the small shadow snapped a palm towards her, red hair flickering in the dim light like flames...

Elspeth... Help me!

Parchment scattered into the air like a flock of birds as Elspeth snapped awake, blue eyes wide as moons and her sword already loose from its scabbard as she sprung to her feet. The short candle guttered and then blew out as the Commander leapt for the door, snatching up her bow and quiver as she passed with nothing more than a brief glance for the steel helm beside it: there was no time for dalliance.

Sending her mind out to Gaeb's, she found the emerald already awake and prepared; skidding around the corner, the tunnel opened out into thin air and in a motion of practice, the young woman leapt through the dark exit - the chill wind snapping at her short hair as she plummeted towards the torch-lit ground. Within a matter of seconds, Gaeb's huge claws had wrapped around her waist - catching her easily before the imminent danger - and with skill born of practice, the Commander clambered over the scaly limb and onto his back, the emerald already winging his way into the skies.

No words were needed: the feelings they shared were plenty enough and at a nudge from Gaeb, Elspeth sent her mind out to her legion, resting gently upon the newcomers as well. Legion, prepare yourselves for battle, she ordered, When I return, I will likely be followed: hold the city against anyone you do not recognise. Do not - under any circumstance - allow a stranger to enter. I will let you know when my arrival is imminent.

Hard and fast, the emerald's wings beat against the diamond-studded velvet of the night, the Commander gripping grimly with solely her knees as she slung the quiver of wikyn-fletched arrows over her shoulder. Drawing a long, tangled strip of leather from the pouch, she leant forwards, securing one end around Gaeb's neck and the other about her own waist.

The forest is alight, the dragon commented darkly as she finished tying the harness and, placing her feet apart for balance, Elspeth stood, resting a single hand on Gaeb's neck as the other gripped her bow. Eyes narrow to angry slits, the Commander searched the ground, noting the broken edges of tree tops where a heavy beast had fallen through the canopy. In a flash, her sight switched, Gaeb feeding her his own senses: as clear as embers, a long, jagged line stood out amongst the black of the pine leaves... the heat-signal of a dragon - a wounded one.

"Dan..." she whispered, heart dropping briefly before hardening to stone - one that had been heated until white hot. Oh it burned, this anger; people would pay for these wrongs they had committed.

Without any sound to show the request, Gaeb snapped his wings tight to his flanks and, silently, Elspeth leapt from her position, the leather harness growing taught as she swung beneath the dragon's stomach. Slipping and arrow fomr it's place at her back, she nocked the bow, aiming the steel point at one of the tiny white beacons milling on the ground below. Something long and metallic slid through the frigid air and the dragon swerved out of its way; adjusting for the change in direction, the Commander settled the arrow tip upon the figure once more and loosed the string. A sharp cry pierced the air: the shaft had hit true.

Spears shot through the air - one coming very close to spearing the woman like a roasted pig - but the huge emerald batted them aside with his heafty feet and tail, twisting and turning like an angry lithen as energy built within his strong body to bursting.

The camp! Elspeth indicated and immediately Gaeb spun in the dark skies, his great maw opening to release a shimmering ball of force that plummeted through the tree canopy like an enormous cannonball, exploding into the ground and catapaulting men and equipment alike into the hardy tree trunks with dull thuds. The fire that had been blazing merrily - supplying the heat for the arrows - put itself out as a haze of earth and leaf litter dropped from being flung into the air and turning once more, the dragon put his back to the camp, aiming his nose towards Naina's fading heat-signal.

Quickly, Gaeb, Elspeth urged from her suspended position between her friend's forelegs, though the emerald needed no encouragement: he could feel as well as she the injuries of the fallen pair. Within a matter of moments, the shimmering light of water met their gaze and Gaeb dropped through the tree canopy; a dozen metres from the ground, the Commander slipped out of her harness, dropping into a roll as she hit the ground to allow the dragon to land without injuring her.

Naina's form was no more than a black shadow in the river and Elspeth immediately slung her bow onto her back, sprinting to the banks. The carnelian was bleeding heavily from a chest wound and the Commander looked imploringly at Gaeb, who frowned worriedly. "I can halt the bleeding, Elspeth," he murmured softly, "But not for long. Find him quickly."

Nodding, Elspeth rested a gentle hand upon Naina's scales before pulling her gaze away to the river. The flow had slowed due to the great beast's presence but Dan would not have been able to swim in his condition... Scanning the rippling water, her blue eyes suddenly alighted upon a darker shadow beneath the reflecting surface; shucking off her weapons and jacket, the Commander dove into the freezing depths, grasping onto the thin wrist and hastily pushing off the sodden bottom with a powerful kick. Panting with the effort, Elspeth carried Daniel's limp body through the lazy current and unceremoniously dragged him onto the muddy river bank.

He wasn't breathing.

Soaked hair dripping, Elspeth turned the rider onto his side, pressing hard into his back. "Don't you dare do this to me, Daniel Fray," she muttered, breath catching as she attempted to force the water from his lungs, "Don't you dare..."

With a coughing retch, riverwater came flooding from the young man's mouth, his chest rising as he dragged in precious, life-giving air. Gathering him into her embrace as she knelt, Elspeth rubbed his arms roughly, attempting to warm his frozen body with her own.

Good, Gaeb called into her mind, sensing her relief, But don't be long: I hear others approaching, though they are a few minutes away yet.

Are you sure you can take us all? Elspeth asked her friend in concern and the emerald grunted noncomitally.

Naina is small. I can at least get you all within the Coalition's boundaries. The legion can aid us from there.

Nodding, the Commander settled her gaze upon Daniel once more, watching his chest rise and fall raggedly. They were severly injured, but they were alive at least. Lifting her head, Elspeth glared into the woodland, lips tightening to a thin line.

Which is more than could be said for those who had caused this pain. They, she told herself, were dead already. And the Stars help the others when they arrived, for she would certainly not be dealing out mercy. She would be the reaper and they the straw: they would bend to her will...

Or they would die.

Asirma looked from behind his rocky cover, once again he counted six guards, no more, no less. He thought the rest of his plan through his head, taking slow measures and explaining every detail in his head:

Step One, I sneak behind the lead guard and dragg him into the shadows and get the key to the chains. I will have my zhen seperated for a quick battle with any that go for me in the open. I will continue in the shadows from there, luring any Onyx I can away from the prisoners. When most of the guards are gone and I have stripped them of their zhen, I will go and begin to release the prisoners.

Step Two, I find three Dekan who can help me fight off the Onyx while a fourth goes and begins to free the others. Once everyone is free, I will have the six best fighters with me as we cover our escape through the tunnels. We will stop in several chambers to regroup and gain our barings but we will be rushing slightly. Every Onyx that is felled must be stripped of his zhen and have it given to another Dekan who is willing to fight.

Step Three, I must get back to the landing chamber, though my mission isn't complete I must send word back to the legion of what has happened here. I must find the three fastest Dekan.... But I saw Arimis earlier and a Jade and Amber Dekan.... Those three will do fine. I've known Arimis since the Elemental War was over, he is amazingly fast and he is a good messenger. Jades have a smaller form and are more agile, while Ambers have one of the longest wing size to body ratios. They are who I must trust in.

Step Four, I send all others away from here.... to the Turquoise, to the shapeshifters.... it doesn't matter, as long as they got away from here. The more Diamonds that died, the more grim the truth of such an event would grow, for the Diamond are the only balance between the Turquoise and the Onyx and the only counter to the Onyx's dark magic. If I become the only one that remained...

Step Five, I find my target and gain as much knowledge in my short window before leaving myself. He is suposed to be in the Council Chambers of the Mountain Citadel.... looking for our Ancient Aremenic Library filled with archaic texts and scriptures. He will never find it without a Diamond Dekan to show him the way, but caution would be taken...


Asirma gave a short sigh, the rest of the plan didnt have to be thought through. Either he escaped and warned the legion or he wouldn't make it out alive. There were no alternate options anymore. He peaked around the corner one more time, seperating his zhen as he did, and calling his ice elemental to coat the blade in its freezing touch.

He slowly counted to ten...

*****************

Arimis woke once more from his troubled, light sleep. They slept, chained to their work station still. The Onyx Dekan stood guard near by, watching for any "suggestive" behavior of an escape. He rubbed his fuzzy eyes with the back of his bloody and weary hands and looked around. His eyes had adjusted considerably to the dark, damp conditions. He caught a white face peering around a rocky wall. His heart lept to his throat in excietment. Asrima!

He watched eagerly, but the figure disappeared once more, What is he doing? What does he have planned? Movement caught his eye down near the front of the chain but he didn't turn his head quickly.... or the guards might become alert. He could barely make out a dark figure being slowly dragged into the shadows flailing his limbs. Then there was nothing...

Seconds passed. The seconds changed to minutes, and the minutes to hours. Nothing happened.

Then, just when he thought all hope was lost, Arimis saw another figure, a little further down the line, get dragged back into the shadows. He had been turning his head oh so slowly the whole time and now he noticed that three of the guards were gone. He could also see the slight shifts in the figures as each one unlocked their chains and passed an object back to another.

Just before it reached the sight of the next guard, a white-ish figure slid from the shadows and wrapped its arm around the Onyx's mount and slid its shen in its other hand across its throat. Arimis watched as Asirma shifted his hold to catch the falling zhen and drag the body into the shadows, like the guards before him. Only two remained.

Unfortunetly, nothing goes as planned right down to the dot, While Asirma wrestled with the fifth guard, the cut didn't completely slice its throat and it gave a rough call for aid before collapsing in Asirma's arms. The entire chain of prisoners stopped moving. The final Onyx Dekan gave a harsh call that echoed through the cave before springing over the prisoners to charge Asirma.

Arimis watched as the Diamond Dekan slung the fifth zhen over his shoulders and held his seperated zhen in a position he could weild comfortably. The Onyx had fire engulfing his blades, while Asirma had ice, now only their zhen mastery would clash. As the fight began, weaving in a dance that looked like two crashing forces. Asirma, a typhoon striking a beach during the winter, and the Onyx, a Monsoon striking in the summer. While the clash weaved in and out of shadows and rocks, the prisoners became more livly. Rushing to undo their bonds before more Onyx arrived.

Finally, Arimis got his shaking hands around the key, fumbling to place it in his shackles around his feet. He tried multiple times until he felt it slip into the hole and he turned it eagerly as it caught and set the tumblers inside.

He was free.

Asirma emerged, clearly exhausted from the fight, and he approached him, the Jade and the Amber Dekan. He stopped short and handed each of the a zhen before giving the last three to three Turquoise that had been captive as well. He gathered them close, "Listen up, We don't have much time before more Onyx Dekan arrive. This is what we are going to do..."

Burning. Fiery, crisp leaves and eventually wooden trunks of tal, majestic trees. Daniel felt himself being moved... Towards a large, towering creature. He could tell because when he was thrown upon it, it was moving up and down in breathin motions... and it's tall frame blocked out the pale light from the moon which reached through his closed eyelids. Man alive, he was in pain. Didn't they realize how much his chest was in pain? Or how one arm and one leg felt broken in at least two places.

The young man eventually managed to open his eyes, but closed one as it was covered in dried blood from a gash going through his eyebrow. He saw the great black blanket of the night sky and the twinkling stars blinking down at him, jeering once again. Naina... He called out feebly and felt no answer. But the dragoness was near... He could sense her very close. Daniel attempted to move his head around, it was stiff and it hurt his spine, which was bruising over on both skin and bone after he had been tossed down the cliff and slope like a rag doll.

He couldn't find his dragoness, but he did catch eye of something else. A young woman-like figure was rushing away from him, towards the blazing flames of the forest fire... Elspeth. Daniel's senses heightened at the sight of her. He felt the heat coming off the dragon Gaeb's scales but also from the roaring fire. He could smell the blood, the air was thick with it, combined with the smoke which made him cough. He could hear the river rushing around the emerald dragon's feet... He attempted to reach out with his good hand, the other arm burning like his skin was on fire. But it made no progress, his voice was dry and his throat was tight. He could barely whisper without wincing at the feeling of the rubbed raw wind pipe.

But still he tried. "El... Elspeth..." Hisvoice was hoarse and sounded alien to him, like he had never heard his own voice before. He spoke louder. "Elspeth..." This was normal speaking now and he took in a deep breath as he attempted to call after her retreating figure. "ELSPETH!"

Arimis didn't like this... leaving Asirma alone to fight for himself, but they had done what they were sappose to do and now they flew long and hard to get to the Legion in time. The Jade and Amber Dekan followed him, since he was one of the few Dekan that knew where to go. But they had been unengaged since they left the landing three hours ago... and that bothered him greatly. He kept looking behind him to check on the Jade and Amber, and they were always ok, but this time he was greatly worried. As he turned to look behind him a cold air pocket caused him to fall.

When his head snapped underneath him he caught the gaining shadow of an Onyx Dekan coming from bellow. "Oh no..." He adjusted his course and called back to the others. "On this path you will make it to the Legion, give them word that Asirma has made contact but everything is as bad as he ex-" His vice gave out and pain shot shrough him. "Nooo...." He felt as though his soul had been ripped from his body. "Please... d-don't.... w-w-why...." He drooped and swurved side to side, nearly colliding with the Onyx as he fell in pain. The Jade and Amber saw the Onyx and growled in surprise and bolted forwards.

But the Elite was focused on Arimis now, his massive claw gripping the serpentine form by the neck and drawing it close. "Yes... you feel it don't you..... your little escape plan didn't work.... and now.... Only you and that fool Asirma remain of the Diamond Dekan..... The balance has been broken and WE THE ONYX DEKAN! Are the TRUE MASTERS of our kind.... But then... only Asirma is left... since you won't live to see the day...." As the Dekan spoke it raised its second claw, while it struggled to hover. It brought it over Arimis and he coughed and struggled to break free. Eyes fixed on the massive claw. It began to decend... and he closed his eyes....

*************************

Asirma made it to the Diamond Library, the entry hall to the Council Chambers, all the book were ripped from their shelves and torn apart on the ground. Ahead he caught sight of two Onyx Stalkers, standing guard to the entrence door. He moved behind a bookshelf and just before he looked out, It felt as some one had ripped his immortal soul out and strangled it befor ehis eyes with hads made of pure fire.

He collapsed to the groud, eyes facing the Dekan Stalkers... who seemed to grow stronger and larger at the same instant. In his mind he screamed it wasn't true, he refused to believe it, but his body told him the truth. He was the last, if not the only Diamond Dekan alive.... the balance had broken. And his race's powers could no longer hold the Onyx in check. What he had been sent to stop, by killing the leader, was not impossible to complete.

Asirma struggled to stand but couldn't for now. The Stalkers must have heard him his the floor, for now they began to move and search the room. Asirma closed his eyes and waited for it all to end.

Daniel cried out behind her and - torn - Elspeth paused, panting, her sword gleaming red with blood and her eyes wide in animal rage. The bandits paused warily in the shadows - too close to run and yet too far to attack her with any chance of accuracy - and the Commander raised her sword arm, pointing the blade at the man closest.

"You are marked, traitor," she hissed viciously, "For your crimes against my people. Go back to your master and tell him I will not rest until every one of you has been placed in the grave he has dug for us."

Spitting upon the ground, Elspeth fixed him with a final, piercing glare and spun on her heel, sprinting to Daniel's battered form slumped over Gaeb's large shoulders. The dragon already had Naina gripped tightly in his strong forelegs, wings spread and tail stretched as he attempted to maintain his balance on solely his hind legs, and the Commander sensed a slight admonishment from him before she sheathed her sword, clambering up the scaly ladder of the emerald's hind limbs and onto his back.

Slipping into place behind the injured man, Elspeth wrapped her arms tightly about Dan's waist, leaning forward slightly to whisper reassurances into his ear as Gaeb beat his wings hard, jolting his riders once before smoothing out. By now, the flames were licking at the emerald's flesh, his usually graceful flight impeeded by the weight of the wounded dragoness, and with a quiet hum a transparent shield wavered around his great form - the dragon using his magic now for defence rather than agression.

Gradually the orange haze disappeared into the distance behind them, the golden glow of the forest fire bright against the black, star-strewn night. Their progress was slow and, worryingly, Gaeb's wing-beats became progressively more difficult as time wore on. Finally, with an immense feeling of relief from both emerald and Commander, the great shadow of the Coalition loomed in the distance, the moon already half-hidden by the spires as it slowly set, ready to make way for the dawn.

I will take us all directly to the medical chamber, Gaeb told her tiredly, his words strained even in her mind, From there you can summon the legion.

With his rider's assurance, the dragon circled the citadel once before swooping carefully through an enormous open hole in the tip of the southern tower, landing gently upon his hind legs and placing Naina upon the straw bedding lain especially for that purpose. Instantly, a glittering lazuli weaved her way over, several surgeons trotting at her heels as Elspeth eased Daniel to the floor.

"Commander, what on Cirrian are you doing to all these poor dragons...?" the blue and gold tinted dragoness sighed, nuzzling Naina gently in examination as a healer similarly prodded the rider hanging limp from the Commander's arm.

"Can she be healed?" Elspeth enquired, ignoring the slight, and the lazuli huffed again in response.

"She's sustained heavy damage," came the blunt answer, a golden glow beginning to seep into the carnelian's scales every time the darker dragoness touched her with her muzzle. A surgeon was already working on the deep chest wound, her deft fingers stitching up the huge gash little by little. "An inch to the left and it would've cut through the main artery. A minute later and she would have already been dead. You were lucky to get her to me in time, Commander."

Lifting her nose, the lazuli healer fixed a glittering yellow gaze upon her, a trace of sympathy in her expression. "She'll be fine in a few days," she said then, a mite gentler, "Now, please, leave me to do my job."

A healer was attempting to remove Daniel from her arms and Elspeth let them take him grugingly, nodding in acknowledgement at the stern dragoness before her. Following the mages, Elspeth oversaw the placement of Dan into a soft bed, the surgeons already crowding around him to block her view and, bending quickly, she pressed her lips briefly against his own. "I'll be back, love," she murmured and then moved aside to let the healers pass.

Turning, she met Gaeb's amber gaze, the emerald still sat quietly beside the unconscious carnelian. Needing no words, Elspeth gave a small smile in understanding, and left the room, settling into a soft armchair in the adjacent chamber. Legion, she said wearily, surveying her bloodstained clothes and skin, her expression impassive, Meet me in the visitors chamber of the medical wing. There is room enough for dargons and riders alike. Those newcomers who wish to join the legion, please also come along: we need you now more than ever. It is vitally urgent that you attend immediately. Thank you.

Sage. Sage heard Ameera's voice in her mind and she drowsily sat up. The commander needs help. Sage immediatly sat up, the commander's image settled in her mind, she was very nice to Sage, and maybe now Sage could return the favor. She got up and rushed out of the door and running towards where the opening was. Her dragon was already waiting and Sage climbed onto her back. "Take me to her." she ordered to Ameera. Sage had no idea where she was supposed to go.