Amberlie sighed and put her head in her hand. A light blue, dog sized, Dragonet sat across the table of her aunt's house stretching its wings in a taunting way.

"Ryou, come on I'm not playing games anymore." The dragonet turned himself in a circle and laid down in a position that he could spring up at any moment. Amberlie walked over to Ryou and sure enough, just as she approached he sprung up and darted under the table to the other side. "This is absolutely ridiculous..." Amberlie ran to her left around the table and as he saw her he ran around the right. As she saw him do this she put her hands on the table and jumped over it thus landing in front of Ryou. She scooped up the dragonet and held him in her arms.

"I'm sorry Ryou. I'm not sure what I should be feeding you. Your mother died before she could
tell me how to care for you." The young dragon opened his mouth in a plead for food. "No I'm sorry we don't have anymore eggs you ate them all."

All of a sudden the door flew open and a very irate man entered. One could smell alcohol on his breath.
"Aaaanaluuheezze!" the man yelled.
"Amberlie." she corrected.
"Whoever it is that you are. Your parents said that you could stay here-"
"My parents are dead..." Amberlie once again corrected.
"Riiiiiiight. So I let you stay here and you bring that thing here eat all my eggs. What sort of payment is that." Her uncle's tone got more intense. He started walking towards her.
"I don't know what it eats." she explained, a defensive body language started to show in her. "I just need to figure it out."
"What you need is to get it out of my house. I didn't agree to this. Hell if I knew marrying your mama's sister would have ended up with me having you I wouldn't have married 'er" He was in her face now. She could have gotten drunk off the alcohol on his breath.
"Just give me a few days to figure it out, it will be better."
"I said I don't want that thing in my house. So its leaving one way or the other. Dead or alive..."
"Your bluffing." She calmly yet cockily stated.
"Am I?" With that he pulled back his hand and punched the Dragonet square in the shoulder. He had been aiming for the head but the alcohol had gotten to him. Ryou let out a sharp cry of pain.
"Stop it uncle you're hurting him." She grabbed at his arm to keep him from swinging another punch. He grabbed her by the shirt and pinned her up against the wall.
"I think its about time for someone to teach you some respect." He brought back his hand and backhanded her across the face. Ryou hated the violence he had just seen and tried blowing fire, ice, lightning, poison, anything at his caretaker's uncle. Finally he settled for just biting his ankle. Her uncle let out a low grunt and dropped Amberlie.

She looked herself down to make sure she was okay, trying to think that what had just happened wasn't real, even though the burning sensation in her cheek was proof enough. She ran to her room and grabbed her pack, put a few things in it and strapped her anelaces to her legs. Ryou trailed her the whole time. "You better be getting out for good!" Her uncle's voice could be heard from the other room. She looked herself over in the mirror. "How is a seventeen year old girl supposed to live on her own now a days and on top of that provide for a dragon. There's always prostitution but I would never sink that low." All of a sudden she saw her brother's hat. She pulled up her long black hair, hid it under the hat, grabbed her pack, leashed Ryou, and ran out of the house. "Surely someone would have some work for a lets say sixteen year old boy"

Cynoc opened his eyes slowly, then closed them again. He opened them, then closed them. Why was he already awake? He was willing to bet it hadn't even been an hour. He opened his eyes again, however, he wasn't where he remembered being when he had kicked back to take a nap. He was flying, for lack of a better way to say it. He wasn't quite sure what was going on here, but it appeared to him that he was flying. His body was spread out with his belly facing down towards the land below. The land below...woah. As he looked down there he could see great vast plains, rolling hills, thick forests, and towering mountains. He felt wind buffeting his body. It was slightly chilly, but that part of it was starting to subside. He was dreaming. It felt great, he felt free, but he didn't feel in control. He tried to ascend, then descend. Nothing. He tried to sway left and right, and that was when he realized he had something wrapped around his waist. He looked down to see...something there, something big. It was wrapped all the way around his waist and going up, up, up, until it got much much bigger. Reality started to kick in. He wasn't dreaming, this was real. Apparently he was being hauled off by a dragon, a dragon that was about to make him dinner for all of her children. He shook his head, it wasn't a nightmare either. From what he knew, dragons didn't kidnap people and eat them. They took them away for something else, but what was it. His head was still a little fuzzy and to prove it, a huge yawn split his lips right about then.

Suddenly the altitude started to drop. He became painfully aware that they were going down, heading straight for the land below, and they weren't going slow. Just ahead he could make out a huge cliff face, maybe the dragon was meaning to land on top? No, it just fell to low for that... yep, they were gonna crash. He felt like he should be more freaked out, but the dragon felt pretty stable, for lack of a better word, and he had to hide another huge yawn behind a fist. Then they were in the cliff. While yawning he had lost track of how close they were and now he fell lightly to a soft floor. He shook his head and pushed himself upto his feet, dusting himself off and trying not to cough. He turned around and sure enough, there was the dragon, staring down at him. It stretched one sharp appendage at him, but actually seemed to be pointing to something beyond him. Cynoc turned to see something glinting on the ground over by the wall of... whatever this was. He walked over and bent down to look at it. Looked like obsidian to him, very smooth surface to. He liked things that were black, always had for some reason. He reached out and scooped it up into his hands, admiring it's quality. Suddenly he heard a voice from behind him.

"Please...you must...help...my daugh....ter. She nee......ds you. Help her." the voice said, it sounded winded, like it had just ran 200 yards at full speed. Cynoc spun around to see where the voice came from, his handing shooting to his back where he gripped his spear in his hand, luckily it had stayed tucked in. He saw no one though, no one but the dragon. The dragon? "Please...help her." it said again, and he saw. It definitely was the dragon. She moved one large wing away to reveal a large egg tucked snuggly into some hay. "Please...help." the voice came from the dragon again. Cynoc looked up into it's eyes, understanding coming to him. "Okay." he said, his voice sounding sure. He walked towards the egg, stopping to lay a reassuring hand on the big dragon, then over to the egg itself. So, gotta babysit ya until your born eh? Simple, my slip was interrupted too ya know. Lets take a little break shall we? Cynoc thought quietly to himself as he rubbed one hand gently on the egg. He sat down, maneuvering the spear around for comfortabilty, and rested his back against the egg, his hands coming up to rest behind his head. Now what had he been dreaming about earlier again?

(first post is really long, I know... wont happen again ^^)

Sitting in the corner of the cave he had been brought to, Theodore knew almost for sure that he was at Storms Peak. His clan had told him of the dragons through stories, and he always enjoyed them. Now, sitting here, damp, but with a mottled green egg nestled in between his legs. He and the egg were alone except for the egg in the middle of the room, it shook from time to time, but not quite as often as his had been for the past few minutes.

The mother dragon, as frail and sickly as she was, wouldn't let him leave until she knew her baby had hatched, so he sat and waited while she left for hunting. This time, as she flew into the cave, she had another human with her, he didn't look dead, so he must be for the last egg.

Letting the boy soak all the information, Theo pushed the slightly greasy hair out of his eyes to watch. The mother dragon gasped the Ritual Words of Giving, letting her child be given in the shell, before falling fitfully into sleep. She had the Wasting Illness, she wouldn't live to see many more mornings. He hoped it was soon, not out of spite, but she was in so much pain that he couldn't stand it, he was a hunter, and he believed animals who couldn't get better should be put out of their misery for the wellness of the soul.

"Hey there newcomer, to the cave of Laesifa, who you see lying before you," Theodore spoke out, "touch the egg, it responds well to the touch." As he spoke, he felt and heard the crack that came from his egg.

Amberlie raced through the market. It was a good thing she decided to tie Ryou. He surely would have gotten lost. A few people stared as the boy shoved through the crouds. Some thought that it might be a most inappropriately dressed young lady but most didn't get a good look since her black shirt disguised her figure and her brothers brown pants fit her loose as well. She arrived outside of the city by a quick paced river. She looked at the dragonet and sighed.

"How did my life change so much in a week. Last week I lived at home with my parents and my brother. Dragons existed in legends and stories passed on by word of mouth. Gossip I thought. Why was I out on that day? The day my parents died. Why did I get taken by a dragon two days later? Why did I have to egg-sit for the next three days and fight my depression in a lonely cave?" The dragon's voice rang in her head. The plea to care for her baby. "I guess that's why." She sighed.

Suddenly she remembered that she had been able to hear the dragon and she remembered the source. The pale blue gem in the cave. When she had touched it she could hear the dragon. But she hadn't taken it. The mother dragon was dead but maybe she could use it to help care for her young. "Come one Ryou we have to go back to the cave." She unleashed Ryou and they headed off.

About five hours later, with Amberlie carrying Ryou half the way, they made it to the cave where the gem was.She walked in with caution, just in case someone less friendly had moved in, and approached the stone. She withdrew it from the wall and put it in her pack. She had an amazing feeling of accomplishment. "See I don't need people. I'm perfectly self sufficient by myself." She didn't need them but she wanted them.

As she left the cave she looked up to see another dragon flying into one of the caves with a person. "Maybe he knows more about this than I do." she hoped. She climbed up the rocks a level until she stood at the cave entrance. Ryou struggled up but made it none the less.

She peaked her head in the cave and looked at the person. It was dark in the cave so she really couldn't tell anything about them from so far away.

Poison was going to get out this time.

The night was as dark as pitch, thankfully, with thick clouds obscuring the moon and stars for miles around. She had piled her long hair up onto the top of her head in order to keep it out of the way, yet it still fell into her face. She did not even dare to brush it away, lest revealed in her spot, crouching near the wall of her father's home. Not her home. Her father's home. He was still prancing around the courtyard, even in the dead of night, barking orders to a few of his most trusted servants and running some of his prized horses. She felt the heat of her anger rising just watching him. Pretender...

Suddenly, he dismissed the servants and was left alone with his favorite mare. Ion was practically holding her breath. Surely he would follow their lead soon and she could--

"Come out from there, Poison." As always, he pronounced her name with malice, as if it really were poison on his tongue. As always, Ion had no choice but to obey. His eyes ran over her appearance almost dismissively. They caught on the sheathed sword at her hip and again Ion had to force herself to breath normally. "Where are you going, armed in such a way? That weapon is not a toy, girl. You have yet to earn it."

Ion almost wanted to laugh. He thought that she had taken that sad imitation of a sword that he'd had made for her? All the better. "I'm going out. I'll be back by dawn. Don't get in my way either, old man," she snapped, and swung herself onto the mare before her father could protest. She kicked her into a gallop and glanced back only once to watch her father's face darken in anger. Ion had to laugh as she passed the boundary of her father's land. He probably thought that he would make her pay for that one once she returned. He probably even suspected that she was running. But she'd be far, far away before the retrievers came for her. This time she had a plan. She wasn't comming back this time.

So intent was Ion on her impending freedom, that when the pair of sharp, wickedly curved claws closed in around her, lifting her into the air, there was nothing, nothing at all that she could do except for appreciate the irony.

They flew for hours until she was suddenly dumped unceremoniously onto the rough floor of a huge cave. She braced herself for the first crunch of the dragon's jaws, even clutched vainly at some stone that was near her hand, one that was rough on one side smooth and dark emerald green on the other, but the creature just... collapsed on the other side of the cave, breathing heavilly. Cautiously, she approached it, holding her rock. Quietly, it rolled one eye up to regard her.

"I... choose... I choose you, Human. Care for my child... once I am gone. Please..." It fell back into silence then, leaving Ion to gawk at it. It spoke.

She turned to peer at the egg indicated. "What... what? A child? A dragonet?" she murmured to herself shifting her weight cautiously from leg to leg. Slowly, she approached the egg which was so deep a blue that it was almost black. Suddenly, a jagged crack split down the middle making her jump.

Vincent fingered the orange gem, looking it over wondering if it would fetch any money. His family was poor, his tribe, if it could be called that was one of warrior hunters, in other words, mercenaries. He had gained the title of Warrior, although the title Champion, the one he had lusted after had evaded him. Sighing the young man looked to his side, a black dragon with red stripes just visible slept peacefully, it's chest growing and shrinking at a steady rate. Spines down it's back shrunk and shrunk until they disappeared at about mid tail, something similar to a barbed club at the end of it. Small bumps which would probably grow into horns sprouted on the hatchling's snout and behind his eyes, making him look distinct compared to his mother, size excluded of course. Relinquishing the gem to the call of his pocket Vincent combed his fingers through his hair cursing his unlucky fate.

"You're nothing but bad luck, did you know that?" He asked the dragon, waking it from it's slumber. Eyes open it faced it's caretaker eagerly, anxious perhaps although curious was more likely.
Bad luck? The dragon questioned Vincent, it's voice sprouting from his mind.
"Yes bad luck. You just cause me trouble." Replied the young man, "I can't go home now."
Why? The young dragon asked instantly.
"Because of you!" He snapped.
What did I do? It pondered aloud, pulling a small chuckle of annoyance from Vincent.
"You're a dragon, I can't just go back home and say I was whisked away by a dragon and have to take care of its hatchling now." He said in a much softer tone.
Why not, it's the truth. It told him still unknowing of the outside world.
"People are fickle Ans."
What's fickle?
"Nothing, forget it. Go back to sleep."

The dragon obeyed it's caretaker, lying it's head down on a makeshift pillow of small stones. Vincent sighed, he was never one for children, in fact he found them to be a nuisance, and those were the human ones a dragon was a whole other story. Patting the dragons head he ran his hand down it's spiny back, curling the end of the tail around his finger. The dragon peaked an eye open which made Vincent push down on his head, roughly petting him; so maybe a dragon was different then a human, it had more benefits. Watching as the dragon fell back into slumber Vincent let his eyes wander the cavern.

Sharp rocks jutted from the entrance, scarring any who threatened to enter, however inside the stone were all smooth, as if someone had carved them. Vincent however knew the truth behind the origin of the smooth rocks, Ans mother had done it, perhaps to avoid cutting herself on jagged edges, not that it mattered much anymore. Gazing outside the warrior remembered how the dragon had taken him, instead of the offering his town had surrendered into the skies. He desperately reached out for for something, anything. However the only thing in reach a rope which soon snapped under the pressure. Gripped in it's talons Vincent was defenseless as he let the dragon carry him away. Upon reaching the cave the dragon began to smash her head against the rock, telling her captive nothing as she broke through the wall to reveal a hidden cashe of gems. Told to pick one Vincent was caught by surprise, but out of fear obeyed the command. His hands reached to a dark orange cropping of gems that seemed to grow like wildflowers, shooting out in ever angle. Touching the gem broke free from it's siblings while a sudden jerk from the dragons tail dragged him further into the cavern despite his protests, until finally he was dropped. Puzzled he half expected to be eaten and was shocked when the dragon spoke again. Take care of him, he recalled her, or at least he thought it was a her say. Although who 'him' was wasn't clear until Vincent had fallen over the egg. It resembled the rocks around it so much he hadn't noticed, although upon closer inspection it proved to be unrock-ish.

Remebering what had happened only moments ago it all seemed impossible, who would have thought they would be stolen by a dragon only to care for it's child. Laughing in his mind the hatchlings movement went unnoticed by Vincent until it posed a question, making him jump.

Did you hear that?
"Hear what?"
That! Ans exclaimed as Vincent listened carefully oblivious to what the dragon had heard. Don't you hear it, it's another you!
"What? There can't be another me."
Not you, but a you.
"Wha-? A human?"
Yeah, a you.
"I didn't hear anything. Are you sure you didn't just imagine it?"

A small growl from Ans made Vincent realize he was serious but he couldn't help but chuckle.

"Then where did it come from?" He asked wondering who else would be so high in the mountains.
I don't know. Replied Ans, as he rested his head back on the rock pillow angered at his caretaker.

Vincent laughed, as he headed towards the entrance of the cave. Pocking his head outside he listened, the only sound the whispers of the wind. Small patches of grass grew on the rough surface of the rocks although trees were non existent. Slabs of rock were ready to break away taking any unsuspecting explorer with them tumbling down the deadly hill. Watching his footing carefully Vincent walked further from the entrance, to a large rock which he clambered onto too.

"Is someone there?" He called cupping his hands around his mouth trying to direct his voice up above.

Amberlie watched the boy free the dragon from the egg. She remembered how two days ago that had been her. "Maybe he doesn't know any more than me." She sighed and listened. She looked back at Ryou with a confused and amused look on her face. "Is he talking to his dragonet?" She scoffed a little at the thought.

"Well I think so..." a very small voice called out from behind her.
"Ryou?" A confused expression lit up her face. "How.... What...?"
"I think its the gem. Ever since you picked it up..." the small voice continued.
"I know it's the gem." Amberlie said confidently "Why haven't you spoken up until now."
"I was shy. Are you sure its the gem?" Ryou's eyes radiated curiosity.
"It was how your mother told me to watch over you." Amberlie replied.
Ryou's eyes fell. "What was she like? I miss her."
"I don't know. She barely got me back to you before she died. What do you mean you miss her? I'm the closest thing you've ever had to a mother." She drowned in her emotions and lost all her way with words. "At least you didn't live with your family and love your family for seventeen years before they left you. You just never had any to begin with."

Amberlie's words stung the dragonet. She wiped a single tear from her eye as she watched the figure go into the tunnel. "Come on Ryou. Lets follow him" she said regaining her composure. Ryou followed behind her but stopped to look at the dead dragon. His eyes betrayed his sorrow as he caught up with Amberlie. "I'm sorry I should have shielded your young eyes."

"Anyone here?" She heard the man call. "Why am I just following him. Am I afraid to go up and talk to him? " She picked Ryou up into her arms.

"We are!" She called back.

Cynoc awoke once again to odd things happening around him. He was in a cave, which he recalled being brought to, by a dragon. There was no dragon here though, other then him it now appeared empty from what he could see. The second odd thing he noticed were voices. Human voices, echoing around from... somewhere. He couldn't quite pinpoint where it was coming from, but he was sure of we he was hearing. He remembered something else as he realized the third thing. He was sleeping against a dragon egg, which he was supposed to be the caretaker of. Except now he didn't feel a warm egg shell behind him, but something a little less smooth, and much more warm. There was something in his hair, wait no, wait yes, wait no. Water dropping from the ceiling? He leaned his head back a little to see what it was. What he thought initially might be water dripping on him from the ceiling was actually a little baby dragon attached to the back oh his head, licking his hair.

"Huh? What are you doing there little fella?" he asked, his voice not quite yet taking on a fully alert sound. Sleep still held some of him. Well daddy's hair is the same color as my belly, so I laid on daddy's hair with my belly so I could sleep with him A cute little female voice answered directly into his head. He saw a playful gleam enter the dragon's eyes. "Oh, so that's how it is is it?" he said, his voice starting to sound a little more awake. He leaned on his spear as he stood up straight, then stretched out full while he yawned. The dragon stayed atop his head. He looked up at her again. "Wait, you called me daddy right? What about your mommy? Where is she?" he inquired. Mommy? I don't know. I thought daddy would know, since he was here with me when I hatched but mommy was not. "Ah, I see. Well I don't know where your mommy is, but I'll be the one taking care of you now ok little one. Hm, can't be calling you that. What's your name?" he asked, as he looked back into the room and all around, looking for a sign of...anything. I'm Nazka, your new daughter! Cynoc smiled at her enthusiasm, then reached a finger up to shake her paw. "Nazka? That's a real pretty name. My name is Cynoc." he said, finally spotting an opening in the back wall. Nazka licked his finger. No silly, your daddy! "Oh yes yes, my mistake. But daddy's name is Cynoc, that is what other people call him." he informed her. She made an interested sound in response. He didn't know where he was going and the ground here was so surprisingly soft, so he started using his spear as a walking staff. "Come on Nazka, lets find our way over to where those voices were coming from, and see if anybody around here knows what we're supposed to do now." he said aloud as he started in the direction of the voices he heard, calling out with vigor "Heyyyyyyy." He was wide awake now.

Amberlie approached the boy. "Sorry for scaring you. I guess I didn't think about the repercussions of me sneaking up behind you. I'm Amberlie. This is Ryou. You've been blessed with the wonderful title of caregiver too eh?" She said the last part with some spite even though Ryou really was growing on her.

She analized his posture while awaiting a response. The way he held the dragonet surely he knew something about tending. A shepherd maybe. "That would surely explain the dark skin." She was suddenly reminded of her brother. He spent all of his days outside and looked somewhat similar to him. She wondered if and when she was going to see him again. "So are you just as lost on how to care for these things..." She shifted Ryou forward."...as I am?"

Ryou looked up at her. "Hey... I'm not a thing." his small voice whined in her head.
"Sorry. Or should I say these wonderful gifts from God or the Devil."
Ryou snorted and squirmed out of her arms. She felt pity and remorse immediately. "What was wrong with that mother dragon. Why on earth would she choose me to watch over her dragonet. I can be so heartless sometimes."

Amberlie followed the shepherd. She was curious as well as to the other voices. Ryou came up to Amberlie and rubbed himself against her leg. She bent down to pick him up.

"Do you hate me?" The small voice echoed in her mind.
"No I don't hate you." She whispered quietly.
"You act like it sometimes"
"I know I do and I'm sorry for it. I've been through a lot this past week and its easier to pin you blame on someone or something else."
"I like 'someone' better."
They walked in silence for a moment.
"I really have no family do I? My mommy is dead. I don't know where my daddy is. And the foster mommy my real mommy left me with hates me."
"I don't hate you I said." Her tone was slightly irritated. Ryou quivered. "I'm sorry I guess that doesn't really prove my point any. If I hated you I would have let my uncle continue to beat you."
Ryou paused in his argument. She had a good point."So you don't hate me you just don't love me."
Amberlie sighed. The other dragon and the shepherd seemed to have an almost instant connection. A true father daughter bond. She almost said what came to mind but then she said something less blunt instead. "My love for you is growing. Sure it isn't like them yet but it may be in the very near future." Part of it was a lie. She knew it but she was trying to comfort her dragonet. Trying to be a good parent. Trying to be someone her parents would be proud of.

"Damn no answer." Vincent muttered as he returned to the cavern. He headed directly for Ans but stopped, pondering where the cache of gems had vanished too. He remembered it vividly, to the right after you took a few steps inwards. Taking those few steps he was disappointed when there was nothing but rock. Scrounging in the dirt he blew away dust, knocked on rock wondering if it was hollow, dug shallow holes, in the end however, it seemed as though the treasure had disappeared. Cursing silently Vincent decided to return to his 'child'.

Weaving through the complicated maze of tunnels which seemed to change at every turn he pondered if Ans knew anything of the treasure; his answer however, would have to wait. He did find where he had sat with the hatchling moments ago, his weapons were still there, the only thing amiss was the dragon. No tracks, no disturbed rocks, no sign that anything had even sat beside him before except the gravel in a neat pile.

"Ans?" He called into the demoralizing darkness. "Ans, where are you?" he called again, still no answer. "Damn it Ans." He whispered wondering if this was because he hadn't told the dragon what fickle meant. Picking up his things he went back to the opening. Seconds later and light had pierced the thick darkness alerting Vincent of the exit. Rushing through the darkness he erupted from the cavern into a dim light. Clouds covered the sun for the moment, allowing only beams of light to be shot down to the surface of the world. Looking into the distance he watched as some rocks tumbled below. Telling himself they were dangerous he looked above wondering what could of made the rocks break free from their holdings. His eyes shot upwards, trying to see around the rocks until a black blur came into sight. Instantly knowing what it was Vincent rolled his eyes, this dragon was getting more and more tiresome.

"Ans what are you doing?" He called to the dragonet annoyed that it hadn't at least warned him.
I found another you! It shouted excitedly in his mind, puzzling Vincent for a moment before he understood that the 'you' wasn't him.
"Where?" He asked, wondering if the beast was simply toying with him.
Up. Ans replied unwilling to specify anymore.

Deciding he might s well follow Vincent braved the loose jagged rocks to give chase. Scooping Ans under an arm when he'd reached the dragon he clambered up the mountain at a decent pace. Despite his efforts to get a more precise answer Ans remained silent, ignoring his caretaker as he enjoyed the ride up into the unknown. Rocks gave way beneath Vincent's feet as he slowly worked his way up to another slab of rock. Looking up the peak he didn't see any other opening, the multitude of rocks jutting from the ground hid what could have been more caves. Dropping Ans Vincent wiped the sweat from brow and sat beside the dragonet.

"You're heavy, aren't babies meant to be light?" He questioned turning to face the dragon.
Are they? Ans questioned his interrogator.
"Normally." He replied dully. Rising to his feet he cupped his hands around his mouth again, trying to direct his shouts upwards. "Where are you?" Vincent called to the skies hoping to god ths wasn't a joke to entertain Ans while he suffered.

Cynoc had been traveling down for a little while now. The inside cave structure was something of a labyrinth it seemed, only dimly lit and mostly covered by darkness. Cynoc walked along slowly, scanning his surroundings and feeling his way with his spear. Finally the labyrinth gave way to another small opening for him to fit through. He ducked into it slowly, looking up to make sure Nazka didn't bump her head at all. It opened up into another cave, slightly smaller then the one he had come from though. This cave was also empty, whatever inhabited it must have been gone. Cynoc walked out into the middle of the cave and inspected it. As it had looked like when he first walked in, the cave was similar to the one he was in. There were no furnishing. no drawings on the walls, no belongings of any sort, nothing. It was just a little cave in the side of the mountain that a dragon lived in. Cynoc sighed. Didn't look like he was going to find anything here. He hadn't heard any echoes or any sound of other life for awhile now. He assumed that meant they were up, since he was going down. Only thing to do though was to get to the bottom and get back to solid ground. Nazka and him both would be needing some food and water pretty soon he guessed. He stretched again, turning around to head back towards the labyrinth.

"Where are you!?" a male's voice called out from behind him. Cynoc spun back around, his eyes searching. That voice had came from outside the cave somehow, from down below. Cynoc ran up to the edge, dropping his spear to his side, he lifted Nazka off of his head and set her down beside him, then layed on his stomach and hung himself over the edge, peering down the cliff face. At first he could see nothing, but then his eyes could pick up some movement. Nestled in the cliff face a little below he caught movement. He couldn't quite make out who or what it was, but it had sounded like a human male.

"What's down there?" Nazka asked, peering over the side as well.

"I don't know yet, but I guess we're about to find out." Cynoc answered simply. He put his hands together and called down to them, "Heyyyy, up hereeeee." He started waving his arm out so they would see him.

Vincent about to call out when he heard a reply. Looking to where the sound had originated he saw waving arms among a grouping of rocks. Glancing around he wondered how they had gotten up this far, unless they lived here there wasn't much of an explanation.

"Wait there! We're coming up." Vincent shouted in reply, looking to Ans to see him tilting his head in response. "Because." He had replied before Ans could question his decision. Planning out a path up the peak Vincent chose his footholds carefully, as did Ans. His hands were his lifeline while his legs did most of the actual climbing work, slowly but safely Vincent ascended the mountain.A few footholds he had avoided which in turn increased the difficulty of the climb. Watching Ans Vincent chuckled, the dragon seemed right at home as it clambered up and down it's eyes locked on Vincent.

Hurry! Ans urged him onwards oblivious to the amount of strain this was putting on Vincents body.

"I am, I am!" Vincent shot back as he pulled himself up to a large rock, looking towards the man that had his arms waving he inhaled deeply. Just a few more he thought, or maybe it was Ans, the voice didn't seem to be his nor Ans but a softer one. Looking at Ans for a moment he became entrapped in a starring contest with the creature. It's dark orange eyes that matched the gem Vincent had chosen remained agape, unwilling to loose the battle of will. Vincent became enthralled by them and his mind began to wander.

Go! Ans urged again pulling Vincent from his thoughts. Continuing the climb he reached the other man with little effort, Ans had scurried ahead and sat proudly at the edge of the rock his eyes fixated on the man. Hauling his bedraggled body up Vincent rose from his knees to look over the man. Like Ans his eyes were fixated, however it was the dragon that had caught his attention.

"A you." He mocked Ans pointing at the small creature. "It's another you."

Cynoc stood up as the guy neared the ledge and brushed himself off. He bent back down to pick up his spear, and as he stood back up Nazka jumped up onto his back and bounded back up on top of his head. He let out a small sigh.

Something wrong daddy? her curious voice came down.

"No." his simple reply sounded back at her.

Suddenly a little dragon popped up onto the ledge, landing nimbly and staring up at Cynoc. It's back side was black, just like Nazka's was, but it's belly was a brown color. Where the two colors met they were divided by a small red line. Due to his size, Cynoc guessed he was probably just like Nazka, only a day or two old. Due to his sudden appearance, this also probably meaned he belonged to the guy climbing up right now. Cynoc felt Nazka stir on top of him, then jumped down and walked up quickly to the other dragon and sniffed at him, walking a quick circle around him. Cynoc watched them quizically, wondering what exactly they were doing and what would happen. So far, his understanding was that dragons spoke mentally, straight into your head. He was able to comprehend Nazka due to the stone tucked safely into his inside pocket. So did dragons communicate telepathically with each other as well? Was Nazka just checking the other dragon out, or talking to him? Suddenly, she ran back over to Cynoc and scrambled up his leg, moving her way back up to her perch on his head. He had a strong neck from years of training and chores, but he didn't think she realized she was still heavy up there. Then another thought occured to him. Would he be able to understand the other dragon if he talked to it, since Cynoc already had a stone with him? It was worth a shot to find out.

I like him Nazka said excitedly just as he was about to ask the dragon what his name was. It caught Cynoc off guard, and he was about to ask Nazka what she meant when he saw the guy's arm come over the edge and he quickly pulled himself up, moving himself onto his knees and trying to catch his breath. Cynoc studied the man, wearing a white vest and dark shorts Cynoc guessed were made of leather. Cynoc guessed he was about as tall as Cynoc, and just as well muscled. His dark hair was bound back in a ponytail, but that disappeared as he looked up at Cynoc, where his view instead focused on Nazka.

"A you." the man said suddenly, pointing up at Nazka. "It's another you." the man said, looking at the other little dragon. Cynoc wasn't sure what that meant, but he guessed it was something the little dragon probably understood. He reached up and patted Nazka on the head.

"So you noticed? This is my new little friend Nazka." Cynoc said.

Daughter. she immediately corrected him.

"Right. My name's Cynoc, and I guess I'm Nazka's new babysitter." Cynoc said, bending down and offering his free hand to the stranger to help him up, and tightening his grip a little on his spear with the other hand. "What's your name and how did you come to be here?" Cynoc asked.


OOC: So does anyone know if we can talk to any dragon once we have our stone? And if there "voice" could be heard by a whole group of people when they talked or if it only went to the one they directed it at? Or do we wait for Wolf for that?

Amberlie had a hard time following the shepherd. The rocks were in some places slippery and her vision was rather limited because of the darkness. Ryou's sense of smell kept them straight most of the way.

"Are we there yet?" Ryou's childish voice echoed in her head.
"If by there you mean lost in a cave then yes."
"Do you even know where we're going?"
"We're looking for a way out."
"I didn't th- He turned there- I didn't think so."

Amberlie felt stupid following the directions of a two day old dragon but she knew he was probably right. As the light approached Ryou perked up. "At least the shepherd knows where we're going." He jumped out of her arms and ran out of the cave. "Ryou! My gosh why are you always running!" She followed after him. She had been far enough behind that she still exited the cave after the shepherd and his dragon. Amberlie noticed the two people. Maybe they know how to take care of my dragonet...

Ryou ran up eager to make friends and sniffed the dragonet on the ground first. He made a playful pounce at the black dragon before looking up inquisitively to see the yellow belly of the other.

OOC: I did Ryou's voice in bold and italic that way its easier to tell when Ryou is thinking something from when Amberlie is.