Introduction
It was about ten years since the conflict. Time had passed, though the wounds inflicted on the land of Magna ran deep.
The fighting had ripped across the lands, taking with it the lives of hundreds of the populace, for the invaders had not been anything natural. Foul beings brought in by a sorcerer hungry for power. They had overrun the lands, proving too much for any of the conventional troops to handle. Even the aid of the magic users proved to not be enough.
Thankfully, the kingdom had retained one remaining trump card for repelling threats to their people. The joined souls. The rain of fire. The fellowship of the dragon riders.
They were a group of folks from humanoid species who had been trained from childhood in order to ride the great beasts, and as they came to reach adulthood they went through a binding ceremony, which forever forged a bond between their soul, and that of their dragon companion. The draconic creatures were rare, and fewer than two dozen riders existed at any one time...though the destruction even a small team could accomplish was staggering.
The call went up, and the dragon riders descended into the battle, many facing their first real encounter with the ugly business of war. It was a brutal, fiery flurry of blades, scales and teeth as the beasts tore swathes through the ranks of the dark creatures.
When the dust settled and the field fell silent, the riders stood battered, but victorious over the slain ranks of the summonings. Cries of celebration went up...but...they proved to be ill-timed. The riders soon realized that one of their number was missing.
They discovered the dragon, Auryn, splayed out on the edge of a lake a distance from their location. A group of the enemy had forced him back, away from his allies. Dozens of spears protruded from between his scale, and a blade had been driven deep into his heart.
Next to him they found Auryn's rider, Elarain, or Elli, staring silently off into the setting sun. No-one knew what to say...or what to do. They had managed to save Magna from a terrible threat...but at a terrible cost.
They held a ceremony where Auryn's remains were consumed in the fire of his kin, a display of the dragons' shared respect for their fallen brother...but Elarain was not there. She had disappeared. The other riders searched, but found no trace of their friend. As time passed they chose simply to remember her too, assuming she had passed along with Auryn.
The years passed, and the riders enjoyed their lives as respected heroes. They had been awarded land and title in exchange for their service, though not all chose to take it, many preferring freedom over authority. They kept in contact, and ensured to gather at least once a year in order to
pay respects to the fallen.
Then, riders began to disappear. They and their dragons would be taken by traveling. Some were discovered, slain in a terrible fashion. Not long after that, strange figures began to be spotted in the wilderness areas...and after that..magical beings also seemed to become targets for this dark force.
All folk of a magical inclination became afraid, especially the remaining ranks of the riders. Something seemed to be wiping them out, one by one.
Things all slid into terrible unison one day when messengers approached them, and offered them a report. It had come from the King's own spymaster, who had been investigating the disappearances, and their ties to a ruin in the far north that had sprung to life in recent months.
Someone was calling on forbidden magic. They were taking the creatures they captured and manipulating their forms with spells and alchemy, turning them into twisted, monstrous minions. Even worse, the spies told of an enormous construct in the main chamber, bound together from metal, wood, and the bones and scales of slain dragons. It was an enormous, partially completed golem formed into the shape of a dragon.
Fastened across its chest was a gold plate, with a word carved upon it.
-'Auryn'-
The words chilled to the bone.
It was Elarain's doing.
Roles
The Riders
The dragon riders are an ancient organization that train a small number of humanoid races each year in the arts of combat, as well as the riding of dragons.
Most are taken from a very young age, and raised in The Summit, an ancient castle complex set up high in the Fellspire Mountains. From here the young riders learn to fight, track, treat field injuries, and the rely on each other. At the age of ten they are first introduced to the young dragons, that are left as eggs or chicks by the dragon community and raised in the natural caverns beneath The Summit. The dragons select the rider, possessing an innate sense of a person whom they feel a connection with.
From there, the dragons and riders train together exhaustively. At the age of sixteen, the riders undergo a bonding ceremony, a very demanding and often dangerous ritual that ties their soul to their dragon steed. From there, they are able to read the thoughts and feel the emotion of their partner.
The Riders come from various species. Humans, elves, orcs, dwarves, and even more exotic beings have been known to be selected. The Riders select based on many factors, and often choose from certain family lines, though this is by no means a rule. There are rarely more than twenty riders alive at any one time, so all know one another. Many are friends, though a fair amount of rivalry takes place.
The Fellowship of the Dragons Riders
Leader: Open
Responsible for the selection of young riders, the organization of meetings, and the work as a military commander. They also tend to act as a spokesperson for the organization with the King.
Second in Command: RESERVED
Tends to take a more hands-on role. They run the training program and are responsible for educating the trainees, as well as overseeing the care of the dragons, and the bonding ceremony.
Other Riders: ANY NUMBER
The riders are a fairly close-knit group. They tend to widely comprised of senior and younger riders. The younger riders are generally assigned a mentor from the seniors by the second in command when they are bonded, and they keep an eye on the younger ones, though most of the qualified riders are in their twenties or upwards, with few being trained with the new threat. Most of the younger generation were trained alongside Elarain.
The Threat
Elarain: TAKEN
An insane former dragon rider, Elarain is driven by her desire to return her dead dragon, Auryn, to life. She disappeared for some years, returning with a disturbing knowledge of fleshcrafting...and a vicious grudge against the Riders.
The Mage: RESERVED
An accomplished magic user from the capital, they were taken by Elarain in order to aid in the construction of the flesh golem dragon. They detest their work, but do so out of fear of Elarain and the fleshcrafted beasts she controls.
The Captive Rider: RESERVED
A former friend of Elarain's, who was one of the first to disappear. Kept around out of some twisted feelings of spite, they and their dragon have undergone terrible cruelty during their long months imprisonment.
Character Skeleton
Full name:
Nicknames/Aliases:
Species:
Gender:
Age:
Occupation:
Appearance:
Personality:
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
Equipment:
Abilities:
Brief history:
(For Riders)
Dragon Name:
Dragon Appearance:
Dragon Personality:
Breath: (Most dragons breathe fire, some however emit extremely cold air, or noxious gases.)
- 13 posts here • Page 1 of 1
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Setting
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It was cold. It was always cold within the fortress, a place that was known among the frightened locals of the surrounding villages and trading posts as 'Snowmaw'. It sat upon the crest of a bare, rocky hill, almost eternally battered by the harsh wind that roared in from the ice wastes.
The old ruin was constructed from the jagged dark grey stone of the region, an old defensive post that had gotten extended upon and built out over the years..though had never been developed enough not to seem spartan and oppressive. It had few glass windows, only deep arrow-slits that allowed the cold air through, or thick iron gratings that did little better. Not many of the floors had gained carpeting, or even wooden floors. The few human servants, most captured and held from the area, managed to find furs and thick clothes to keep themselves from succumbing to the cold during their duties...though plenty succumbed to the creatures.
The flesh golems made up much of the staff. While the frightened and cowed humanfolk were charged with cooking and cleaning, the guard duties and laboratory help was performed by them...much on the basis of the mistress's extreme paranoia. She was always suspicious of the servants sabotaging her work, enough that she would trust few with it.
The golems were a hideous, malformed bunch. They were a haphazardly sewn-together mix of humanoids, animals and hastily-constructed joinings. For many it seemed that the tarnished armor they wore was the only thing keeping their bodies together. They were sickly beasts, and being sickly made them vicious. Many would go after human staff on sight, and their creator rarely stepped in to stop them.
Beneath Snowmaw were the caverns, large, natural caves that spread down some way into the mountain. With the renovation of the fortress the caves had been dug into, hollowed out and bricked in places, in preparation of serving their new purpose. It served as a laboratory, and it served as a dungeon.
At the centre, beneath the main hall of the castle, an enormous cathedral cavern opened up. The insides were lit with large torches set into the walls, which cast strange, jagged shadows across the rocks. Wooden workbenches were arranged around the floor of the cavern, along with a whole range of disturbing apparatus. Tables with thick fastenings made to hold things of human size and shape, large cutting tools...and implements that seemed to defy description.
Most noticable tough stood in the middle. It was suspended from the vaulted roof by a myriad of ropes, chains, and sections of hollow piping, like a grotesque spider's web with a monstrous bulk suspended at the core. It was roughly the size and shape of the dragon, though closer inspection revealed it was nothing close. It was made from any number of different things. The great wings differed in size and colour, the legs were patched together from several different parts, and many pieces seemed to have come from animals nowhere even close to draconic. Its ribcage hung open, the contents uncompleted, and its face seemed incomplete, lacking eyes, much of one side consisting of bone and metal struts.
She crouched on the rickety, makeshift scaffolding that surrounded the enormous, partially completed abomination, stood perfectly still, staring into the eyeless sockets of the golem's face. Elarain had been there for perhaps and hour, and not many of the staff dared suggest she moved. The last person to do so had had their jaw fused shut.
The former rider was, quite clearly, a shadow of her former self. She was pallid and emaciated, she coughed frequently, seeming to be suffering from an illness that never seemed to leave her. She ate very rarely, and slept even less. While a large room had been set up in the tower upstairs, it mostly collected dust, remaining unused. It seemed that by then Elarain was powered more by obsession that earthly things. Obsession and dark magic.
Abruptly she stood, ragged cloak swaying around her narrow shoulders at the sudden movement. Like a clockwork toy that had been wound up, she was suddenly spurred into motion, and she scampered down the haphazard assortment of ropes and ladders to the bottom, showing surprising agility for her condition. She dropped to the stone floor and strode over to the large, reinforce door that stood at the other end of the hall. The entrance to the dungeons.
They were expansive, dark, and extremely hard to escape from. The cells were chiseled into the living rock, leaving the walls and floor rough, often jagged. Very little light filtered down from the tiny grates set high into the ceiling, and that which did seemed grey and anaemic.
As Elarain stepped along the shadowy corridor, the twisted guards lifted their hands, paws or talons in clumsy salute, and the figures hidden within the cells drew further away into the gloomy, hoping not to attract her fickle attention.
"Bring me another!" Elarain exclaimed, grinding to a sudden halt and gesturing to the nearest guard, pointing with a taloned finger.
"I need more parts!"
The old ruin was constructed from the jagged dark grey stone of the region, an old defensive post that had gotten extended upon and built out over the years..though had never been developed enough not to seem spartan and oppressive. It had few glass windows, only deep arrow-slits that allowed the cold air through, or thick iron gratings that did little better. Not many of the floors had gained carpeting, or even wooden floors. The few human servants, most captured and held from the area, managed to find furs and thick clothes to keep themselves from succumbing to the cold during their duties...though plenty succumbed to the creatures.
The flesh golems made up much of the staff. While the frightened and cowed humanfolk were charged with cooking and cleaning, the guard duties and laboratory help was performed by them...much on the basis of the mistress's extreme paranoia. She was always suspicious of the servants sabotaging her work, enough that she would trust few with it.
The golems were a hideous, malformed bunch. They were a haphazardly sewn-together mix of humanoids, animals and hastily-constructed joinings. For many it seemed that the tarnished armor they wore was the only thing keeping their bodies together. They were sickly beasts, and being sickly made them vicious. Many would go after human staff on sight, and their creator rarely stepped in to stop them.
Beneath Snowmaw were the caverns, large, natural caves that spread down some way into the mountain. With the renovation of the fortress the caves had been dug into, hollowed out and bricked in places, in preparation of serving their new purpose. It served as a laboratory, and it served as a dungeon.
At the centre, beneath the main hall of the castle, an enormous cathedral cavern opened up. The insides were lit with large torches set into the walls, which cast strange, jagged shadows across the rocks. Wooden workbenches were arranged around the floor of the cavern, along with a whole range of disturbing apparatus. Tables with thick fastenings made to hold things of human size and shape, large cutting tools...and implements that seemed to defy description.
Most noticable tough stood in the middle. It was suspended from the vaulted roof by a myriad of ropes, chains, and sections of hollow piping, like a grotesque spider's web with a monstrous bulk suspended at the core. It was roughly the size and shape of the dragon, though closer inspection revealed it was nothing close. It was made from any number of different things. The great wings differed in size and colour, the legs were patched together from several different parts, and many pieces seemed to have come from animals nowhere even close to draconic. Its ribcage hung open, the contents uncompleted, and its face seemed incomplete, lacking eyes, much of one side consisting of bone and metal struts.
She crouched on the rickety, makeshift scaffolding that surrounded the enormous, partially completed abomination, stood perfectly still, staring into the eyeless sockets of the golem's face. Elarain had been there for perhaps and hour, and not many of the staff dared suggest she moved. The last person to do so had had their jaw fused shut.
The former rider was, quite clearly, a shadow of her former self. She was pallid and emaciated, she coughed frequently, seeming to be suffering from an illness that never seemed to leave her. She ate very rarely, and slept even less. While a large room had been set up in the tower upstairs, it mostly collected dust, remaining unused. It seemed that by then Elarain was powered more by obsession that earthly things. Obsession and dark magic.
Abruptly she stood, ragged cloak swaying around her narrow shoulders at the sudden movement. Like a clockwork toy that had been wound up, she was suddenly spurred into motion, and she scampered down the haphazard assortment of ropes and ladders to the bottom, showing surprising agility for her condition. She dropped to the stone floor and strode over to the large, reinforce door that stood at the other end of the hall. The entrance to the dungeons.
They were expansive, dark, and extremely hard to escape from. The cells were chiseled into the living rock, leaving the walls and floor rough, often jagged. Very little light filtered down from the tiny grates set high into the ceiling, and that which did seemed grey and anaemic.
As Elarain stepped along the shadowy corridor, the twisted guards lifted their hands, paws or talons in clumsy salute, and the figures hidden within the cells drew further away into the gloomy, hoping not to attract her fickle attention.
"Bring me another!" Elarain exclaimed, grinding to a sudden halt and gesturing to the nearest guard, pointing with a taloned finger.
"I need more parts!"
Setting
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The cold hardly reached Kitherine as he slunk on silent feat down the alley-like hallway of the great fortress. He had long since grown accustomed to the frigid aura of Snowman – in the months that he had been there, he had only rarely ventured to the warmth of the lower lands, and so there had been no choice but to adjust. His steaming breath no longer phased him, and swathed in the smooth black clothing of the Blackguard, he no longer shivered. He could walk comfortably through between these icy stone walls, unafraid that he was going to lose life or limb to the frost.
That did not mean, of course, that there were not things about this place that bothered him. Of course, those things that made him shudder had less to do with the place and more to do with what worked there. Kitherine had a very good reason for serving himself, whenever possible. He did not enjoy the thought of things sewn together from other things that had died serving his food…
Of course, he would never have voiced his opinion to his mistress. No, he was not even capable of thinking those opinions when she was near. Without his mistress he would die – her word, her wish, was his one and only law.
You’re pathetic, Kinari’s voice whispered in Kitherine’s skull, but Kitherine ignored him. He’d gotten good at ignoring his twin’s voice, over the last several years. Can’t think for yourself, can’t act for yourself. Can’t even sleep for yourself.
“It’s your fault, Kinari,” he told his twin, speaking aloud. There was no reason to remain silent in a hallway that was empty but for the shuffling constructs of his mistress’s creation. He did not care what those abominations heard.
Don’t try to pin this on me, Kinari started, but Kitherine interrupted him.
“You cast the spell. I didn’t.”
And that was where the conversation ended. He had reached the door beyond which his mistress must be working, and Kinari had lapsed into silence, for he too served Elarain with a distinct lack of independent will. And pointless chatter would surely go against her wishes.
With a low groan the door to the workshop opened and he stepped inside, gazing at the great half-shell of the dragon with a mix of admiration and disgust. The twins would never have chosen to report to this room… but this was where their mistress was, and it was necessary that they report to her immediately upon return. After all, Kitherine had brought back a fresh crop of… “parts”.
Peering around through the seas of half-dead things and tables full of Elarain’s projects, he searched out his mistress. Of course… the dungeons.
Running a hand through the silk of his white hair, he started out across the floor towards the dungeons. Hesitantly he peered through the door, spotting Elairain amidst the blackness and constructs and the moaning prisoners.
“Mistress,” he whispered, taking a step through the door and bowing deeply to her. He did not know whether she required him to bow or not – it did not matter. He was her servant. More than that, in fact. He would show her the proper respect.
_____________________________________________________
Pre-dawn upon the Summit had always been Kessenaye’s favorite time of day – at least, it had as far as he could remember. The elf had suppressed most memories of what had come before the Guardians. Thinking about his family was too painful, so he avoided it as often as he could. Which was not to say that those memories did not crop up anyways, they did, but not nearly as often as they could have.
He shook his head softly, laughing at himself. Still so young, for an elf, and he was already reminiscing. He supposed that was what happened when you lived through wars, no matter how old you were. He leaned back against the rough scales of his dragon’s side, drawing in a deep breath of crisp morning air. The golden light had settled across his face now, warming him. He knew that Kestrel would wake soon…
She shifted softly, groaning and raising her head from her early morning nap. He smiled quietly. There she was…
“Morning, Kestrel,” he whispered, reaching out and scratching her scaly shoulder. She groaned and stretched with the contact, still too tired to realize how un-dignifying that action was. “Ready to start the day?”
“No,” she muttered, laying her head back down. Kess laughed quietly and shook his head. He knew that soon enough, one Rider or another would be up here looking for him. He could let Kestrel sleep until then.
That did not mean, of course, that there were not things about this place that bothered him. Of course, those things that made him shudder had less to do with the place and more to do with what worked there. Kitherine had a very good reason for serving himself, whenever possible. He did not enjoy the thought of things sewn together from other things that had died serving his food…
Of course, he would never have voiced his opinion to his mistress. No, he was not even capable of thinking those opinions when she was near. Without his mistress he would die – her word, her wish, was his one and only law.
You’re pathetic, Kinari’s voice whispered in Kitherine’s skull, but Kitherine ignored him. He’d gotten good at ignoring his twin’s voice, over the last several years. Can’t think for yourself, can’t act for yourself. Can’t even sleep for yourself.
“It’s your fault, Kinari,” he told his twin, speaking aloud. There was no reason to remain silent in a hallway that was empty but for the shuffling constructs of his mistress’s creation. He did not care what those abominations heard.
Don’t try to pin this on me, Kinari started, but Kitherine interrupted him.
“You cast the spell. I didn’t.”
And that was where the conversation ended. He had reached the door beyond which his mistress must be working, and Kinari had lapsed into silence, for he too served Elarain with a distinct lack of independent will. And pointless chatter would surely go against her wishes.
With a low groan the door to the workshop opened and he stepped inside, gazing at the great half-shell of the dragon with a mix of admiration and disgust. The twins would never have chosen to report to this room… but this was where their mistress was, and it was necessary that they report to her immediately upon return. After all, Kitherine had brought back a fresh crop of… “parts”.
Peering around through the seas of half-dead things and tables full of Elarain’s projects, he searched out his mistress. Of course… the dungeons.
Running a hand through the silk of his white hair, he started out across the floor towards the dungeons. Hesitantly he peered through the door, spotting Elairain amidst the blackness and constructs and the moaning prisoners.
“Mistress,” he whispered, taking a step through the door and bowing deeply to her. He did not know whether she required him to bow or not – it did not matter. He was her servant. More than that, in fact. He would show her the proper respect.
_____________________________________________________
Pre-dawn upon the Summit had always been Kessenaye’s favorite time of day – at least, it had as far as he could remember. The elf had suppressed most memories of what had come before the Guardians. Thinking about his family was too painful, so he avoided it as often as he could. Which was not to say that those memories did not crop up anyways, they did, but not nearly as often as they could have.
He shook his head softly, laughing at himself. Still so young, for an elf, and he was already reminiscing. He supposed that was what happened when you lived through wars, no matter how old you were. He leaned back against the rough scales of his dragon’s side, drawing in a deep breath of crisp morning air. The golden light had settled across his face now, warming him. He knew that Kestrel would wake soon…
She shifted softly, groaning and raising her head from her early morning nap. He smiled quietly. There she was…
“Morning, Kestrel,” he whispered, reaching out and scratching her scaly shoulder. She groaned and stretched with the contact, still too tired to realize how un-dignifying that action was. “Ready to start the day?”
“No,” she muttered, laying her head back down. Kess laughed quietly and shook his head. He knew that soon enough, one Rider or another would be up here looking for him. He could let Kestrel sleep until then.
Cold. It was always cold in here. Where was here? Here was the place where the sun, even with its intense heat, couldn't be able to warm things up. Here was the place where even in the afternoon, a person could still see their breaths - fog-like-breaths. Here was hell on this planet. Here was the place where only monsters could exist. Here was the only place he could exist.
...who was he? Was he a monster?...
A giggle escaped him as he leaned himself closer to the wall behind him. Looked at his surroundings! He was surrounded by so many beautiful things! He giggled again, his unstable eyes took in hungrily the sight in front of him. It was dark here. As always. There were some weird streaks on the wall opposite to him and his eyes widened with childish excitement. Slowly, he crawled to the wall, the chains on his arms and legs creaked as they were being strained by himself but he didn't stop until his hands could touch the wall. He covered his mouth to restrain another giggle but his attempt was futile.
He clapped his hands, accidentally made the chains around his arms and legs tightened and his body tensed for a moment as the sharp edges of the chains dug into his skin like claws, tearing his flesh and drawled blood. He turned his head and studied his newest wounds, his face didn't show any signs of being in pain. Seeing that the wounds were not life-threatening, he turned his head and studied the dark streaks on the wall again. He grinned. They were blood streaks...perfectly beautiful blood streaks.
...please don't torture yourself like this, Kowareta...
He looked around in confusion. What was that? Did he just hear a female voice? He spotted an abandoned bloody belt on the floor and picked it up, studied it and suddenly, he asked, his voice was rough due to the lack of use "...did you just talk to me, belt?..."
...no, Kowareta...It did not talk to you...I did...look at me, please...
He looked up slowly. Not far from him was a...thing with blood red scales and it was tied into the wall like himself. He opened his mouth and automatically called "...Ruby?..."
...yes, Kowareta...it's me...your dragon...can you remember me?
Kowareta intended to shake his head but somehow, he was able to stop himself from doing so at the last second. He didn't know, it was just a feeling, that this...dragon wouldn't appreciate it. Suddenly, something flickered in the back of his mind and Kowareta's eyes widened. He had remembered...this was Ruby. His friend. His Dragon. He dropped on his knees, trying to crawl to his Dragon as fast as he could possibly be. The moment Kowareta's hand touched his Dragon's skin, he flinched violently like he was being burnt alive. He hissed quietly and dangerously "Who did this to you, Ruby? Tell me...I'm gonna kill him to take revenge for you, my dearest..."
Ruby gazed her Rider sadly and lowered her head in order for him to touch her easier. He had changed so much. From a proud warrior into nothing more than just a madman - a shell of his former soul and pride. Years earlier, if anyone had told her Rider and her that this would be what he would become, they would have laughed at their faces and told them 'good imagination, dude...' but now? Now she wasn't even sure that he would even be cured let alone be able to return to his former self. Shaking her head gently to get rid of the negative thoughts, Ruby's eyes hardened slightly. 'no, I must not think negative thoughts...he can be saved...Kowareta can be cured...I must have hope...'
"...it's alright, Kowareta...you don't have to take revenge for me...it's nothing to worry about..."
Ruby said gently and nuzzled her nose into his hands. He wasn't the only one who had changed. She had changed, too. Yes, it was true that her ideals and morality as well as sanity and kindness hadn't been lost yet but she had become more mature...calmer, less reckless...and she had become the only thing that kept him from completely lost in this madness, this...darkness. She signed heavily. 'If only I could contact another Rider or Dragon to tell them about my situation as well as Kowareta's condition...'
"you don't want me to take revenge? 'kay...then, can we play with the knives now? They say they are bored..." Kowareta clapped his hands childishly again, his voice was cheerful and fulled with poorly contained madness. Ruby shook her head and said gently but sternly "No, Kowareta...don't hurt yourself...I will be mad at you..."
Kowareta pouted and muttered to himself "But I haven't seen blood all day..." A pain shot through his chest and he fell into his knees again, completely missed the worried look Ruby sent him. He began to grasp his head and mumbled, his voice grew more and more unstable "No, no...must not cut myself...It's bad...Ruby will be mad...must not cut...but blood...it's beautiful...must not..." He continued to talk to himself, obviously having another flashback from the time when he hadn't been broken yet.
((WARNING: DISTURBING SCENES...SKIP THIS IF YOU WANT TO))
------------------------Flashback------------------------
The knife twisted, making the muscle on Kowareta's arm tensed as if it was ready to snap any seconds if the knife continued to be pressed deeper. He screamed, blood mingled with sweats poured out of his body like water but he refused to cry or beg. He would not show weakness to the enemies.
"ARGGGGG...."
He screamed when he felt something like salt was being rubbed into his wounds, his hands curled into fists but he couldn't move an inch due to the fact that he was being trapped into a large metal table. He blinked his eyes but the scene in front of him was blurry at best since the pain from every inch on his body was slowly killing him. He croaked out, his voice was rough and hoarse because of his screams "...w-why? w-why d-do you h-have to d-do this t-to m-me eve-everyday?..."
His body convulsed again as hot liquid was being poured down his body. Oh gosh...what had he done to deserve this punishment? Could somebody please tell him? He was so tired of this...he wanted to give in so much...
...please don't give up, Kowareta...I believe in you...
A voice whispered in the back of Kowareta's head but he was too tired to actually realize whose that voice belonged to. Everything sounded so confused right now...What was he?...he was Kowareta, wasn't he? He was a Rider, right? But what was a Rider? He gasped as the tip of another tortured knife pressed into the soft skin near his neck. Blood trickled down the wound and ironically, it cooled down the hot liquid that was poured on his body earlier a little bit, making him slightly more comfortable. He bit his lips to prevent a scream from escaping but at last, his instinct won and he opened his mouth, a pain-filled scream filled the room.
"Just call Mistress Elarain your Mistress...and all the pain will go away. Won't that be easy? Just give in..."
A voice said near his ears again and Kowareta turned his head to take a good look at the person who was speaking to him but he quickly found out that his attempt was useless, his eyes were just too blurry to even see the person. He spoke, his voice was scratchy and his throat felt like it was on fire but he continued to push beyond his limit "...N-no...I-I c-can't...s-stop hu-hurting m-me..."
The voice chuckled slightly but it was quickly being masked into a faked sympathetic "...Kowareta, dearie...you've got me all wrong...I never want to hurt you...but you give me no other choice...I felt really hurt when I was forced to do this to you, too...just give in, my little warrior of Pride...I promise you there will be no more pain the moment you accept your fate..." Kowareta shook his head tiredly again. Even in this confused state of mind, he knew better than to call Elarain his Mistress. He just had the feeling that he shouldn't do it, no matter what. He bit his lips hard and squeezed his eyes tightly shut, waiting for another wave of pain to come but when he felt nothing, he opened his eyes and asked warily "...w-where i-is t-the pa-pain?..."
A soft chuckle was the answer to his question and he felt a cold hand touched his cheek slightly. Kowareta flinched violently and shied away from the touch. A hand grasped his chin suddenly and he bit his cheeks to prevent from making any kinds of noise as sharp fingernails dug deep into his cheeks, enough to drawl blood. His breaths quickened as even when he was being temporarily blind because of the pain, could still feel the cold and cruel eyes bored into his glazed blue eyes. He shuddered involuntarily. God had mercy on him. He felt so weak and pathetic right now that words couldn't even enough to describe how helpless he was feeling right now. A voice hissed into his ears and Kowareta could feel himself shivered as cold breaths caressed his skin.
"You will give in, warrior of Pride...sooner or later...you will give in..."
A sound like a snap of the fingers and before he knew it, he was free, released from the metal table. His body fell like a sack of potatoes but he didn't even bother to get up. He was too exhausted. Too tired from the fight...He could barely feel something warm and slightly sticky being poured down his skin...again. Kowareta closed his eyes, allowed the darkness to take over him and he passed out on the dungeon's ground.
----------3 hours later----------
Tiredly, the broken warrior opened his eyes. And the first thing he realized was the pain. Everything on his body ached. His back hurt because of his position, his arms hurt because of the torment earlier, his chest hurt to breath, his legs hurt. Hurt. Hurt. Hurt. The pain was there again. He chuckled bitterly. He didn't even remember the time when his body wasn't hurting anymore. It was simply too far-fetched from the cold, hard reality he had to face everyday and honestly, he didn't know if the Rider thing was just a thing that his imagination had made up or not. He was beginning to lose sense of rights and wrongs.
Pushing himself back up, Kowareta looked at his hands as he saw there was some kind of liquid sticking there. His eyes widened as he caught the familiar smell he had to face everyday - the smell of metal - it was blood. Every inch in his body was covered in blood. Was it his blood? Was it someone else's? What happened? Why couldn't he remember everything? Kowareta couldn't stop the twisting feeling in his stomach and before he knew it, he was emptying his stomach's content and tears were running freely down his pale face. He wanted to be free. He wanted freedom. He wanted it so very badly right now that he was beginning to think he could do everything so not to be tortured everyday.
...please don't give up, Kowareta...I believe in you...
That voice spoke again and Kowareta looked around, trying to find the person who was speaking to him "w-who a-are you? W-where a-are you? p-please s-save me f-from this h-hell...I'm b-begging you..." The voice sighed softly and he could almost feel the sorrow of the speaker and imagine the tears that were running down the speaker's face just as how his tears were running now.
...oh, Kowareta...if I had the power to rescue you, I wouldn't even for a moment be hesitant and go there to save you myself...please believe in yourself...I'm Ruby...can you remember me? I'm your dragon...Kowareta, my Rider, what have they done to you?...
Kowareta didn't hear the voice finished speaking as he was too busy grasping his head, his body rocked back and forth. He muttered underneath his breaths "...must n-not g-give up...b-but t-the blood i-is beautiful...n-no...b-blood i-is not b-beautiful...y-yes i-it is...n-no..." Tears mingled with sorrow and confusion were pouring out of his eyes now and he didn't care if anyone saw this. He was simply too exhausted. If one observed closer, they could see a little bit of his former self being broken and in his place, another monster was beginning to wake up - the monster named Kowareta...
------------------------Flashback ends------------------------
((DISTURBING SCENES END))
Kowareta's eyes snapped opened as he felt another present near him and he was pulled out of his flashback forcefully. He looked around, trying to find the source of the interruption but a gentle voice spoke into his ears, calming him down instantly "Relax, Kowareta...it's just me, Ruby..." He looked up to see that Ruby was indeed staring at him with worried eyes. He hugged her head and muttered, mostly to himself "I must escape...must have freedom...must obey Mistress...do not want punishment...". Another word was spoken between them and Kowareta locked eyes with Ruby but no word came out of his mouth. he and his dragon were just thinking the exact same thing. Slowly, a sadistic grin appeared on his handsome face and Kowareta laughed madly.
"I want to see blood...and I want to see it now..."
He picked up the knife on the floor and began to slash his skin harshly, blood poured out his wounds and Kowareta licked it hungrily. Ruby didn't stop him this time and instead, she was looking at a far distance, as if she was deep in thoughts. 'Mistress, huh? Let's see how long you can keep that smirk on your face, my Mistress dearest...'
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Elarain was, by then, stood in a low-ceilinged chamber fairly deep into the dungeons, facing the gaggle of twisted creatures that served as guards. Two loped into a nearby cell and emerged dragging out a prisoner, a woman who stared, wide-eyed at the fallen rider as she was forced to her knees in front of her, resembling a started deer.
The lady of the fortress glanced from the terrified woman, to one of the soldier gripping her, before delivering a swift back-handed across the creature's squashed, dog-like face. The action loosed a few teeth and sent them skittering across the damp flagstones.
"I do not need people!" she snapped.
"I need dragons! We cannot have exhausted them yet!"
She turned, catching sight of Kitherine, a rare smile of approval crossing her features.
"Ah, so you have chosen to show yourself...it appears..Kitherine...that incompetence awaits me at every turn...my guards seem to think that we have run out of dragons...but we cannot have used them all...not yet..."
She began to walk across the row of cells, gesturing from her blackguard to follow. She walked with purpose, seizing a torch from the wall bracket with her human hand, and allowing the sharp talons of her altered appendage to scrape across the rough stone walls. Upon reaching on cell, the glint of scales in the torchlight caught her eye and she swung open, gaze setting on the dragon bound within.
"...blast it...Auryn cannot have this one..."
She narrowed her eyes, soon realizing that it was Ruby that she could see. She resented Ruby's presence, though it was not due to the dragon's depth of contempt for her, no Elarain was fairly oblivious to that. She resented seeing riders with their dragons. It strengthened the gnawing ache in her chest that never seemed to leave her, and made her want to destroy them. Just have her troops due the beast down and destroy it...why should he have a dragon when she did not?
The fallen rider shook her head, attempting to dispell the oncoming rage. She needed Ruby alive, as the captive dragon served as an easy way to control Kowareta.
She turned to the captive rider, walking over to him, ensuring she remained out of biting distance of the dragon. She looked down at him with disdain. So much for the riders. He had degenerated into little better than a rabid animal in the time since she'd caught him. Somewhere, deep down she felt sadness for what her friend had become, but that was wrapped up in layers of bitterness and sadistic glee.
"You should be put to use." she announced, pointing at him.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The dragon's head broke the surface of the lake, sending a jet of moisture from his nostrils and opening his mouth in order to draw in a deep breath of mountain air. Having filled its lungs, the head plunged back below the water, whole body following in graceful arc of wings and scales.
Sorin sat on the edge of the lake, on pebble beach, attempting to skip stones across the water. It had never been a skill of his, and his attempts had afforded one skip at best, most sinking with a pitiful 'glug' sound. It seemed to be no end of amusement for Adain, who would every so often peek out of the water in order to emit a warbling laugh at his lack of skill.
The stop by the lake was a welcome break for both of them, and it was something Adain needed more than he did. They had flown such a distance over the last few days. The message had reached them far in the great forests to the west, carried by a dove that Adain had, unfortunately been snacking on when he'd realized that it had come with a letter. Upon hearing the news, the two had made their way back, towards The Summit as fast as they could manage. The home of the riders lay within sight, on the nearby ridge, but the two had decided to stop short of their destination, so as not to arrive dusty and exhausted.
Little had been said between them about the matter, though it worried them greatly. They hadn't spoken as they knew what the ultimate consequences might be....destroying another rider. It wasn't something they wanted to think about too much.
The lady of the fortress glanced from the terrified woman, to one of the soldier gripping her, before delivering a swift back-handed across the creature's squashed, dog-like face. The action loosed a few teeth and sent them skittering across the damp flagstones.
"I do not need people!" she snapped.
"I need dragons! We cannot have exhausted them yet!"
She turned, catching sight of Kitherine, a rare smile of approval crossing her features.
"Ah, so you have chosen to show yourself...it appears..Kitherine...that incompetence awaits me at every turn...my guards seem to think that we have run out of dragons...but we cannot have used them all...not yet..."
She began to walk across the row of cells, gesturing from her blackguard to follow. She walked with purpose, seizing a torch from the wall bracket with her human hand, and allowing the sharp talons of her altered appendage to scrape across the rough stone walls. Upon reaching on cell, the glint of scales in the torchlight caught her eye and she swung open, gaze setting on the dragon bound within.
"...blast it...Auryn cannot have this one..."
She narrowed her eyes, soon realizing that it was Ruby that she could see. She resented Ruby's presence, though it was not due to the dragon's depth of contempt for her, no Elarain was fairly oblivious to that. She resented seeing riders with their dragons. It strengthened the gnawing ache in her chest that never seemed to leave her, and made her want to destroy them. Just have her troops due the beast down and destroy it...why should he have a dragon when she did not?
The fallen rider shook her head, attempting to dispell the oncoming rage. She needed Ruby alive, as the captive dragon served as an easy way to control Kowareta.
She turned to the captive rider, walking over to him, ensuring she remained out of biting distance of the dragon. She looked down at him with disdain. So much for the riders. He had degenerated into little better than a rabid animal in the time since she'd caught him. Somewhere, deep down she felt sadness for what her friend had become, but that was wrapped up in layers of bitterness and sadistic glee.
"You should be put to use." she announced, pointing at him.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The dragon's head broke the surface of the lake, sending a jet of moisture from his nostrils and opening his mouth in order to draw in a deep breath of mountain air. Having filled its lungs, the head plunged back below the water, whole body following in graceful arc of wings and scales.
Sorin sat on the edge of the lake, on pebble beach, attempting to skip stones across the water. It had never been a skill of his, and his attempts had afforded one skip at best, most sinking with a pitiful 'glug' sound. It seemed to be no end of amusement for Adain, who would every so often peek out of the water in order to emit a warbling laugh at his lack of skill.
The stop by the lake was a welcome break for both of them, and it was something Adain needed more than he did. They had flown such a distance over the last few days. The message had reached them far in the great forests to the west, carried by a dove that Adain had, unfortunately been snacking on when he'd realized that it had come with a letter. Upon hearing the news, the two had made their way back, towards The Summit as fast as they could manage. The home of the riders lay within sight, on the nearby ridge, but the two had decided to stop short of their destination, so as not to arrive dusty and exhausted.
Little had been said between them about the matter, though it worried them greatly. They hadn't spoken as they knew what the ultimate consequences might be....destroying another rider. It wasn't something they wanted to think about too much.
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The dragon's head broke the surface of the lake, sending a jet of moisture from his nostrils and opening his mouth in order to draw in a deep breath of mountain air. Having filled its lungs, the head plunged back below the water, whole body following in graceful arc of wings and scales.
Sorin sat on the edge of the lake, on pebble beach, attempting to skip stones across the water. It had never been a skill of his, and his attempts had afforded one skip at best, most sinking with a pitiful 'glug' sound. It seemed to be no end of amusement for Adain, who would every so often peek out of the water in order to emit a warbling laugh at his lack of skill.
The stop by the lake was a welcome break for both of them, and it was something Adain needed more than he did. They had flown such a distance over the last few days. The message had reached them far in the great forests to the west, carried by a dove that Adain had, unfortunately been snacking on when he'd realized that it had come with a letter. Upon hearing the news, the two had made their way back, towards The Summit as fast as they could manage. The home of the riders lay within sight, on the nearby ridge, but the two had decided to stop short of their destination, so as not to arrive dusty and exhausted.
Little had been said between them about the matter, though it worried them greatly. They hadn't spoken as they knew what the ultimate consequences might be....destroying another rider. It wasn't something they wanted to think about too much.
"I do not need people!" she snapped.
"I need dragons! We cannot have exhausted them yet!"
Kitherine did not even twitch at his Mistress’s outburst. He was unaffected by her rage, but not because he was some mindlessly obedient creature like Elarain’s constructs. No, he had freedom of thought – perhaps not freedom of action, but freedom of thought at the very least. He was unafraid of her because he knew that he was useful to her, and if there was one thing in the world that Elarain it was not, it was foolish. He knew the fallen rider would never destroy something that was useful to her.
And remaining useful to her, when he had no reason to do anything but please her, was a very simple task for the single-bodied twins.
She turned, catching sight of Kitherine, a rare smile of approval crossing her features.
"Ah, so you have chosen to show yourself...it appears..Kitherine...that incompetence awaits me at every turn...my guards seem to think that we have run out of dragons...but we cannot have used them all...not yet..."
Kitherine twisted to his feet as she passed him, carefully ensuring that she would walk in front of him before moving. He followed along a short distance from her shoulder – close enough to protect her should to need arise, far enough away that he respected her space, and acknowledged her status. So very many ranks above his own…
The blackguard shook back an overlong strand of his white hair, glancing into the stalls as they passed. Seeing the creatures curled up in the backs, he sneered silently. The sight of such creatures – yes, creatures, nothing that cringed like that deserved to be called a person – sickened him. And yet they pleased him, because in some sick way they pleased his mistress… and that was all he needed to be happy. Unfortunately it did not happen often. She was plagued by such feelings of rage and bitterness, she only very rarely felt pleasure. Kitherine had become accustomed to the sadistic-ness, the painfulness, of her happiness. He had come to enjoy pain.
"...blast it...Auryn cannot have this one..."
They had stopped outside a familiar cell – Kowareta and Ruby stayed here, the dragon rider reduced to jibbering insanity, the dragon reduced to helplessness. It made Kitherine want to laugh, to see them that way, but he kept quiet. It was best not to interrupt Elarain’s thoughts. He watched silently, one lip curled into a cruel smirk, as she approached the madman curled on the floor in a pool of his own blood.
"You should be put to use." she announced, pointing at him.
His eyes flickered to Elarain, interested. What could she possibly have in mind for this seemingly helpless wild beast…?
He stepped forwards across the blood-stained floor, drawing nearer to her – though not too close – to await instruction.
__________________________________
After a short while, Kess gave a quiet sigh and sat up again, reaching behind him to nudge Kestrel. Yes, someone would eventually come up to fetch them. No, his duties could not wait long enough for someone to figure out where they were. Behind him, the dragon groaned and shifted in her sleep, nearly shoving Kess off the edge of the cliff. He dug his fingers in beneath her scales to hold himself in place, catching his breath as the sudden drop became much too close.
“Kestrel!” he snapped, and the dragon’s graceful neck came up, head shooting high into the air and looking for the enemy he had spotted. When she found nothing, she twisted around again to give him an irritable look through hawk-like yellow eyes.
“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded harshly, not seeming to register how close he was to the edge of the cliff. To a dragon it would have mattered little – to a Dragon Rider only a little more, for Kess knew he could trust Kestrel to catch him. Nevertheless, he did not particularly enjoy the thought of falling at all.
“Move, please?” Kess asked, making a face at his deep-blue dragon. Kestrel gave a low, rumbling sigh and rolled back across the cliff-top, making room so that he could come to his feet. He hauled himself up, using her sides for balance, and brushed himself off hastily, waiting for some feeling to return to his legs. They had been curled up there on the rock ledge much longer than he would have thought. "We need to see if Sorin is coming,” he told Kestrel quietly.
Kestrel did not have to question what he meant. She twisted her neck back around, until it was upright once more, and faced out into the wind, away from the great Summit. Sucking in one long, deep breath, her jaws parted around vicious fangs, and she unleashed a bellowing call which echoed off the mountains for many dozens of miles. If Sorin and Adain were within a day’s flight of the Summit, they would hear her call.
Sorin sat on the edge of the lake, on pebble beach, attempting to skip stones across the water. It had never been a skill of his, and his attempts had afforded one skip at best, most sinking with a pitiful 'glug' sound. It seemed to be no end of amusement for Adain, who would every so often peek out of the water in order to emit a warbling laugh at his lack of skill.
The stop by the lake was a welcome break for both of them, and it was something Adain needed more than he did. They had flown such a distance over the last few days. The message had reached them far in the great forests to the west, carried by a dove that Adain had, unfortunately been snacking on when he'd realized that it had come with a letter. Upon hearing the news, the two had made their way back, towards The Summit as fast as they could manage. The home of the riders lay within sight, on the nearby ridge, but the two had decided to stop short of their destination, so as not to arrive dusty and exhausted.
Little had been said between them about the matter, though it worried them greatly. They hadn't spoken as they knew what the ultimate consequences might be....destroying another rider. It wasn't something they wanted to think about too much.
"I do not need people!" she snapped.
"I need dragons! We cannot have exhausted them yet!"
Kitherine did not even twitch at his Mistress’s outburst. He was unaffected by her rage, but not because he was some mindlessly obedient creature like Elarain’s constructs. No, he had freedom of thought – perhaps not freedom of action, but freedom of thought at the very least. He was unafraid of her because he knew that he was useful to her, and if there was one thing in the world that Elarain it was not, it was foolish. He knew the fallen rider would never destroy something that was useful to her.
And remaining useful to her, when he had no reason to do anything but please her, was a very simple task for the single-bodied twins.
She turned, catching sight of Kitherine, a rare smile of approval crossing her features.
"Ah, so you have chosen to show yourself...it appears..Kitherine...that incompetence awaits me at every turn...my guards seem to think that we have run out of dragons...but we cannot have used them all...not yet..."
Kitherine twisted to his feet as she passed him, carefully ensuring that she would walk in front of him before moving. He followed along a short distance from her shoulder – close enough to protect her should to need arise, far enough away that he respected her space, and acknowledged her status. So very many ranks above his own…
The blackguard shook back an overlong strand of his white hair, glancing into the stalls as they passed. Seeing the creatures curled up in the backs, he sneered silently. The sight of such creatures – yes, creatures, nothing that cringed like that deserved to be called a person – sickened him. And yet they pleased him, because in some sick way they pleased his mistress… and that was all he needed to be happy. Unfortunately it did not happen often. She was plagued by such feelings of rage and bitterness, she only very rarely felt pleasure. Kitherine had become accustomed to the sadistic-ness, the painfulness, of her happiness. He had come to enjoy pain.
"...blast it...Auryn cannot have this one..."
They had stopped outside a familiar cell – Kowareta and Ruby stayed here, the dragon rider reduced to jibbering insanity, the dragon reduced to helplessness. It made Kitherine want to laugh, to see them that way, but he kept quiet. It was best not to interrupt Elarain’s thoughts. He watched silently, one lip curled into a cruel smirk, as she approached the madman curled on the floor in a pool of his own blood.
"You should be put to use." she announced, pointing at him.
His eyes flickered to Elarain, interested. What could she possibly have in mind for this seemingly helpless wild beast…?
He stepped forwards across the blood-stained floor, drawing nearer to her – though not too close – to await instruction.
__________________________________
After a short while, Kess gave a quiet sigh and sat up again, reaching behind him to nudge Kestrel. Yes, someone would eventually come up to fetch them. No, his duties could not wait long enough for someone to figure out where they were. Behind him, the dragon groaned and shifted in her sleep, nearly shoving Kess off the edge of the cliff. He dug his fingers in beneath her scales to hold himself in place, catching his breath as the sudden drop became much too close.
“Kestrel!” he snapped, and the dragon’s graceful neck came up, head shooting high into the air and looking for the enemy he had spotted. When she found nothing, she twisted around again to give him an irritable look through hawk-like yellow eyes.
“What’s wrong with you?” she demanded harshly, not seeming to register how close he was to the edge of the cliff. To a dragon it would have mattered little – to a Dragon Rider only a little more, for Kess knew he could trust Kestrel to catch him. Nevertheless, he did not particularly enjoy the thought of falling at all.
“Move, please?” Kess asked, making a face at his deep-blue dragon. Kestrel gave a low, rumbling sigh and rolled back across the cliff-top, making room so that he could come to his feet. He hauled himself up, using her sides for balance, and brushed himself off hastily, waiting for some feeling to return to his legs. They had been curled up there on the rock ledge much longer than he would have thought. "We need to see if Sorin is coming,” he told Kestrel quietly.
Kestrel did not have to question what he meant. She twisted her neck back around, until it was upright once more, and faced out into the wind, away from the great Summit. Sucking in one long, deep breath, her jaws parted around vicious fangs, and she unleashed a bellowing call which echoed off the mountains for many dozens of miles. If Sorin and Adain were within a day’s flight of the Summit, they would hear her call.
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Aneska
Aneska loved the feeling of the wind on her face. If she had to make a list of her favorite things about being a rider, wind on her face would be number two, right behind Falx. As much as Aneska howled with joy and enthusiasm, Falx remained silent, both in thought and with his voice, for the entire flight. They had received the letter several days prior, and had left immediately. Now, Aneska could see the Summit in the distance. In all her travels, Aneska had never seen anything that quite compared to the Summit. It's ancient walls still stood strong after hundreds of years. The tall towers and massive courtyards were large enough to accomodate all the dragons and riders who lived there, as well as the hundreds of attendants and staff required to maintain it. It sat perched atop the peaks of the Fellspire Mountains, and even at this distance, Aneska could smell the distinct scent of Dragons. It was a beautiful smell, though it was likely that the common population would not agree. A good thing for them that their sense of smell was not as sharp as hers.
A roar echoed, emanating from the Summit and reverberating in Aneska's ears. She smiled.
It's been so long. Falx's thought flashed in Aneska's mind, the enormity of his mind still leaving her in awe.
"Too long, I think."
Falx shifted his weight, and picked up speed. Aneska held herself close to him as the two of them dived out of the sky. The wind lashed at her cheeks as the ground jumped up at them. Then, Falx unfurled his wings and they pulled up, now level with the upper landings of the Summit. They were closer now, and closing, and Aneska remembered yet another reason she loved this place. She could feel a presence here, when all the riders were gathered. The magic of the bonds, of the ancient castle, of the accumulated power of everyone inside, all permeated the air here, and an enormous sense of pride welled up in her chest. No matter where she traveled, this would always be home.
Falx let loose an earth shaking roar; something quite out of character for him; to signal that he, too, was home. The pair landed on one of the upper platforms with a thud, and attendants, some only partly dressed, came running out to see them. Aneska fastened her sword and sheath to her belt, and slid down Falx's right wing like a giant slide. She walked to his head, and rested her palm on his temple.
"I won't be long. Let them take care of you, but be watchful of our things." She spoke softly to him, and looked deep into his vanilla eyes. He grunted in response and a wisp of smoke floated up from his nostrils. She nodded and patted his snout, and he playfully snapped at her hand.
Minutes later, after checking in and confirming her identity with a half-asleep spellcaster, she was walking down a hallway that led to Kethrellan's nest. Kethrellan was Kessenaye's dragon, and if Kess was anything like he was when she had left ten years prior, he'd be right up next to her. The leather soles of her boots padded gently on the stone floor, every now and then back of her steel greaves scraped against it, making an irritated scratch. Her scabbard bounced softly against the side of her leg in an irregular patter, which she kept rhythm to in her head until she arrived at the door that led out to the great blue dragon's nest. She thought about knocking, but figured if Kess was up to anything, it was more than worth any potential repercussions to see it. She entered.
"Kess." She said as she entered, already assured of her earlier belief when she saw his dragon, and him just beyond her. She didn't address him by his title, as a matter of fact, after all this time she'd forgotten it. Meeting with Kess right away seemed logical. Why waste time when Elarain was out there, with who knows what else, abducting riders. She hoped he had some sort of plan, because if not, she'd ride straight north until she found Elarain and drag her back here by her hair. If Elarain had been killing dragons and riders, that was not something Aneska looked forward to.
"You should be put to use."
A voice said next to his ears and Kowareta immediately stopped what he was doing to look around warily. Next to him, Ruby let out a dangerous growl as if she was seeing something she truly hated. Kowareta pressed the tip of his index finger to her lips, gave a clear gesture to the dragon that he needed her to be silent. Ruby glanced at her Rider and responded to his command by giving him a barely-noticeable nod. Kowareta smiled back and retracted his arm but not before giving her a pat on the head first. Ruby sighed and she settled in glaring at the shadow in hatred instead, her claws twitched dangerously like she was trying to suppress the urge to tear the things in the shadow apart, bits and pieces. Kowareta just looked at the shadow with mild interest, knowing who were in there already.
The figures stepped out of the shadow and Kowareta took a good look at both of them. Elarain - the depressed Rider who wished to return her dead dragon to life, what a hopeless cause, but she was also the one he obeyed and called Mistress. It was ironic, really...he, the one who was captured and tortured by the one he used to call 'friend', now was serving her like a loyal dog and became her personal killing machine and play toy. It was just simply too ironic. He let out a bark like laughter and his blonde hair covered his eyes, giving him the impression of a bitter man. But it did not matter if he served her or not, what mattered was...He paused in his thoughts and gave his dragon a quick glance, a gesture that could be easily missed as many things else but his Ruby did not miss it. She inclined her head and sent him her own thoughts. He smirked and turned his head away to gaze at the second person standing next to his Mistress, just several feet away from him. White hair, a girly face and the clothes he wore. Yes, it could not be mistaken. The man standing next to his Mistress was Kitherine - Elarain's blackguard. Who, in the past, had taken part in torturing him into this state of mind. But once again, this didn't matter. Not anymore. He grinned, if only he could take that dependent man to become one of his own.
Finished observing both of them, Kowareta shifted his weight a little bit, making the chains around his legs and arms creak. He waited until he was comfortable with his new position before he looked up. Ah, he forgot to answer Mistress' command. Giving Kitherine a calculated look, Kowareta forced himself to look at a different direction after a while. He cocked his head to one side and asked calmly, locking eyes with Elarain.
"How may your humble servant offer his service to you today, Mistress...?"
He spoke, his question was surprisingly polite and well-spoken considered the fact that he was mentally unstable. His gaze, once again settled in Kitherine's figure and he cocked his head to one side. The madness appeared in his eyes again and he looked at the dark creatures in front of him with an unflinching stare for he was also a part of the darkness now. He looked a his hands and snorted. Since when was the last time he considered himself a creature of justice? Must have been a long time ago because he couldn't remember the feeling of being a proud being anymore. At least, he didn't consider himself a being...he considered himself a creature, now...But it was fitting. Kowareta the Broken Wing, Kowareta the monster. Those tittles, they were more fitting for him than Kowareta the warrior of Pride now. His pride was destroyed by the ones that were standing in front of him.
Kowareta gritted his teeth slightly but quickly reminded himself that it did not matter anymore. He was sitting crossed-leg, leaning against the wall of torture chamber, the place that had quickly become his favorite after his mind had broken. Deciding that sitting was not the best position to greet his Mistress, Kowareta slowly pushed himself back up, almost fell several times in trying to do so. Finally, leaning himself against Ruby for support, Kowareta stood on his feet, a little unsteady. He gazed Elarain and with a quick gesture, almost like a puppet being cut from its strings, Kowareta dropped on an one-knee bow, his eyes glued to the ground, demonstrated a perfect salute. His right hand curled into a fist and touched the ground slightly while his left leg bended into a perfect 90 degree angle. His dragon saw that as a cue and stood up from her sitting position, her wings stretched slightly from their uncomfortable position. She gave them a short and curt nod, the hatred and anger never once left her face and if she could, she would be sneering at them right now. Unfortunately, she had to keep her act up. She snorted and turned her head away, the chains on her neck dragged on the ground, giving another clang as if they were trying to tell everyone that she was also being bounded to the darkness like how her Rider was being bounded to the same thing. Ruby almost gave another growl but managed to refrain herself from doing so at the last second. She stood behind her Rider, ready to protect him if the situation arised and gave him the support he depressedly needed right now in order to keep himself from falling apart.
Kowareta glanced at his dragon, slightly relieved that she hadn't lost her self-control yet. He looked at the Mistress and her bodyguard again before saying in his most polite and sane tone. If one didn't know him well, they might even say that he wasn't as mad as he appeared to be. But then again, it was a part of his deception. Sane or insane? Did that even matter? Because in the end, the result would still be the same. His enemies would still be dead at his feet and his body would be covered in blood so, again...he had to ask...why did it matter if he was insane or not? But if he had to choose, he would choose to be insane...Insanity would make him forget about the bad deeds that he had done...Kowareta nodded to himself. Alright, he was insane then. He wanted to be insane so he would be insane. Yeah, that was a logical answer...a good answer. The answer he needed.
"....greetings, Mistress...I welcome you to the tortured chamber...you are still just as lovely as I remember..."
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The sound of the other dragon's cry rung out and echoed through the water, down to where Adain was swimming, chasing a carp along the bottom. He leaned his head out of the water and emitted a shrill cry in response, throwing his head down and opening his mouth wide.
Sorin rose to his feet at his dragon padded over to him, shaking the moisture from its mane.
"Guess the swim's over then." the rider remarked, going to fetch the leather and metal fastenings that made up Adain's saddle. It was fairly basic, but it did allow him to get more grip, and not end up getting flung off into a moutainside during some of the trickier aerial maneuvers. It was certainly possible to ride without one, but Sorin doubted that Adain would appreciate him grabbing handfuls of his mane to hold on.
With deft ease, he snapped the fastenings into place over the dragon's neck and shoulders, before swinging up into place, getting a sturdy grip at the front. Adain bounded forwards, getting a brief run up before flinging himself upwards and beating his winds down, propelling the two of them into the air.
--------
Elarain glanced back again towards Kitherine, adopting a knowing smile.
"You seem doubtful blackguard. " she stated.
"Such a skeptic. You see, while he may lack your discipline...my little Kowareta is not without his uses. When you have learned as I have, you come to realize that anyone can be of use...it is merely a matter of molding them into the right tool for the job. My beautiful creations consist of physical crafting...he is different however."
Elarain approached the captive rider, looking him over.
"You may forget the compliments Kowareta. Both of you are to listen. There are two new objectives that must be completed. We need more dragons. I cannot take this one, so we must take more riders. Kowareta can help. He is a rider. He can lure one to us. They would come out of a misguided sense of camaraderie in order to try and liberate him....however we would know of their approach and seize upon them as soon as they got anywhere near the fortress. Kowareta I will allow you to get a message out to Summit. You will beg for help. Plead for a rider to come and fetch you. Kitherine, I shall assign you my best creations to take the dragon when the time comes. Whether the rider lives or dies is unimportant to me. Perhaps it will give my plaything some company...or perhaps he will tear them apart in one of his less lucid moods. It matters not. "
She grinned, eagerly anticipating another draconic form to take apart...more parts to add to Auryn.
Sorin rose to his feet at his dragon padded over to him, shaking the moisture from its mane.
"Guess the swim's over then." the rider remarked, going to fetch the leather and metal fastenings that made up Adain's saddle. It was fairly basic, but it did allow him to get more grip, and not end up getting flung off into a moutainside during some of the trickier aerial maneuvers. It was certainly possible to ride without one, but Sorin doubted that Adain would appreciate him grabbing handfuls of his mane to hold on.
With deft ease, he snapped the fastenings into place over the dragon's neck and shoulders, before swinging up into place, getting a sturdy grip at the front. Adain bounded forwards, getting a brief run up before flinging himself upwards and beating his winds down, propelling the two of them into the air.
--------
Elarain glanced back again towards Kitherine, adopting a knowing smile.
"You seem doubtful blackguard. " she stated.
"Such a skeptic. You see, while he may lack your discipline...my little Kowareta is not without his uses. When you have learned as I have, you come to realize that anyone can be of use...it is merely a matter of molding them into the right tool for the job. My beautiful creations consist of physical crafting...he is different however."
Elarain approached the captive rider, looking him over.
"You may forget the compliments Kowareta. Both of you are to listen. There are two new objectives that must be completed. We need more dragons. I cannot take this one, so we must take more riders. Kowareta can help. He is a rider. He can lure one to us. They would come out of a misguided sense of camaraderie in order to try and liberate him....however we would know of their approach and seize upon them as soon as they got anywhere near the fortress. Kowareta I will allow you to get a message out to Summit. You will beg for help. Plead for a rider to come and fetch you. Kitherine, I shall assign you my best creations to take the dragon when the time comes. Whether the rider lives or dies is unimportant to me. Perhaps it will give my plaything some company...or perhaps he will tear them apart in one of his less lucid moods. It matters not. "
She grinned, eagerly anticipating another draconic form to take apart...more parts to add to Auryn.
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Kess looked around at the sound of Aneska's voice, smiling slightly at the sight of her. Good - the Riders had begun their return.
"Aneska," he answered calmly, striding across the great cliff Kestrel kept as a nest to greet the young woman with the embrace of a comrade. Kess was not one to be easily embarrassed, and it did not even occur to him that a man hugging a woman could be seen in another way. It didn't matter - they had fought together so many times before that he knew anyone who knew them wouldn't care about the hug. They had been through too much, all of the Riders had, and Kess thought of all of them as family. "You're back so soon. Do you bring news?"
Kestrel, who had heard Aneska coming long before she entered the door, did not look around. She kept her eyes and ears trained to the great valley below, waiting for the response.
There.
The great shrieking call had Kess, who had not expected it, nearly jumping out of his boots. For her part, Kestrel gave off a low, rumbling groan, making her sides shake. A tone of eagerness, of excitement. She had not seen her dragon friend in some time, and finally Adain was returning. Her sharp eyes could pick out the shape of the great dragon arching up into the sky, with Sorin on his back. Kess stared over the cliff, as yet unable to see the approaching comrades. He shook his head slightly as he pulled away from Aneska.
"Dragons," he chuckled, and then returned his attention to the report he assumed Aneska had come to give.
______________________________________
Kitherine bowed deeply to Elarain when she was through speaking.
"My apologies, Mistress," he whispered. "I failed to understand your intentions. Of course, I will do everything in my power to bring you back your dragons."
Of course he would. Everyone who knew him knew that he literally lived to serve Elarain - why, most of them did not know, but then to most people it did not matter. He would die before he returned without the living dragon-flesh she so desperately needed. He would die before he aided in her failure to recreate her precious Auryn. He had no clue why it was so important - he had never wanted a dragon, never had a dragon, had no way to understand that bond - but why was not important. She wanted it, he delivered. His very existence was just that simple.
"Did you want me to gain the Riders' trust?" he asked evenly. "Carry the message, or simply wait in ambush?"
They both knew that he was capable of either. He could do anything that his mistress asked him to.
"Aneska," he answered calmly, striding across the great cliff Kestrel kept as a nest to greet the young woman with the embrace of a comrade. Kess was not one to be easily embarrassed, and it did not even occur to him that a man hugging a woman could be seen in another way. It didn't matter - they had fought together so many times before that he knew anyone who knew them wouldn't care about the hug. They had been through too much, all of the Riders had, and Kess thought of all of them as family. "You're back so soon. Do you bring news?"
Kestrel, who had heard Aneska coming long before she entered the door, did not look around. She kept her eyes and ears trained to the great valley below, waiting for the response.
There.
The great shrieking call had Kess, who had not expected it, nearly jumping out of his boots. For her part, Kestrel gave off a low, rumbling groan, making her sides shake. A tone of eagerness, of excitement. She had not seen her dragon friend in some time, and finally Adain was returning. Her sharp eyes could pick out the shape of the great dragon arching up into the sky, with Sorin on his back. Kess stared over the cliff, as yet unable to see the approaching comrades. He shook his head slightly as he pulled away from Aneska.
"Dragons," he chuckled, and then returned his attention to the report he assumed Aneska had come to give.
______________________________________
Kitherine bowed deeply to Elarain when she was through speaking.
"My apologies, Mistress," he whispered. "I failed to understand your intentions. Of course, I will do everything in my power to bring you back your dragons."
Of course he would. Everyone who knew him knew that he literally lived to serve Elarain - why, most of them did not know, but then to most people it did not matter. He would die before he returned without the living dragon-flesh she so desperately needed. He would die before he aided in her failure to recreate her precious Auryn. He had no clue why it was so important - he had never wanted a dragon, never had a dragon, had no way to understand that bond - but why was not important. She wanted it, he delivered. His very existence was just that simple.
"Did you want me to gain the Riders' trust?" he asked evenly. "Carry the message, or simply wait in ambush?"
They both knew that he was capable of either. He could do anything that his mistress asked him to.
Kowareta cocked his head to one side as he listened to Elarain's and Kitherine's conversation with mild interest. He didn't feel the need to concentrate on something so useless like that. He just wanted to cause pain and death now. He didn't even need a plan. Why couldn't he just go out there, grasp some random dragons and riders then come back to torture the Riders and cut up the dragons into pieces? He pouted, mostly to himself and turned away, didn't even bother to listen to them any longer. He was bored. He wanted to kill. Where were his play things? Kowareta looked around, trying to search for something which could be used to play with but found none and he crossed his hands childishly. This was no fun!
"You may forget the compliments Kowareta. Both of you are to listen. There are two new objectives that must be completed. We need more dragons. I cannot take this one, so we must take more riders. Kowareta can help. He is a rider. He can lure one to us. They would come out of a misguided sense of camaraderie in order to try and liberate him....however we would know of their approach and seize upon them as soon as they got anywhere near the fortress. Kowareta I will allow you to get a message out to Summit. You will beg for help. Plead for a rider to come and fetch you. Kitherine, I shall assign you my best creations to take the dragon when the time comes. Whether the rider lives or dies is unimportant to me. Perhaps it will give my plaything some company...or perhaps he will tear them apart in one of his less lucid moods. It matters not."
Elarain ordered and Kowareta looked at her immediately, paying attention closely to her words. Oh, a job? And seemed like a fun job, too. He grinned, his white teeth shone under the light, giving him a menace look but he didn't seem to notice. He had a job to do. Shrugging his shoulder nonchalantly, Ares said cheerfully "Your wish is my command, Mistress...I'll do what you order me to do..."
Patting Ruby, Kowareta asked joyfully "Right, Ruby dear?...". The dragon blinked her eyes and looked down before nodding slowly and reluctantly "Of course, Kowareta..." She frowned and looked away before thinking angrily 'It's not like I have any other choices in the matter anyway...' Turning her head, Ruby's eyes adopted a calculated look '...though this situation might not be so helpless after all...maybe I can take advantage of this and find a way to get out of here...' Ruby glanced down at Kowareta, who was, once again, poking at his wounds and giggling childishly every 10 seconds.
Kowareta grinned when he listened to Ruby's thoughts before popping his head up and down in agreement. He tapped his cheek with his index finger and asked again "when can we do our mission, Mistress?" He chuckled and said mostly to himself, his madness was visible in his voice "...can't wait to tear their flesh...tehehehe...I heard that the arms are the tastiest parts...tehehehe..."
Xylia or as her dragon sometimes called her,Xyl-Xyl,awoke to the morning sunlight beaming into her eyes.She adjusted her green orbs to the forest surrounding her,the land the king awarded her that she used in part as a sanctuary for dragons who didn't want to return to the Summit after the war.As she awoke,she heard a sobbing sound...what was she laying on? Blinking her green eyes,she tried to remember how she got here,she visited here with...Electra! That was the sound,she turned to her long time friend,"What's wrong?" Electra gazed at her through somber purple orbs.
We're going to war again,aren't we?
Xy looked at her puzzled,"Who told you that?" "First Auryn,then Loki,then Selene..." She listed many other names finishing with "...And now Ruby and Kowareta." Xylia almost cried at that,"We can't give up hope,not all of them are necessarily dead and I heard nothing of a war." The dragon managed a few more words out.
We're going to die soon,aren't we?
The fey woman felt a deep unsettling feeling inside,she might not be coward but she didn't want to die either.She hadn't survived this long to let Elarain destroy her family because the Riders and their Dragons were part of her family! Her sadness was almost completely replaced by pure determination,"Listen,we're not going to die you know why?" Electra shook her head."Because I won't let that happen to us,we will fight to live and we will not go down!" She knew Electra loved gossip and this was a good time to exploit that weakness. "There is someone I really like..." "Who,who!,she was jumping and flying in circles at this point."I'll tell you all about it on the way to the Summit."
We're going to war again,aren't we?
Xy looked at her puzzled,"Who told you that?" "First Auryn,then Loki,then Selene..." She listed many other names finishing with "...And now Ruby and Kowareta." Xylia almost cried at that,"We can't give up hope,not all of them are necessarily dead and I heard nothing of a war." The dragon managed a few more words out.
We're going to die soon,aren't we?
The fey woman felt a deep unsettling feeling inside,she might not be coward but she didn't want to die either.She hadn't survived this long to let Elarain destroy her family because the Riders and their Dragons were part of her family! Her sadness was almost completely replaced by pure determination,"Listen,we're not going to die you know why?" Electra shook her head."Because I won't let that happen to us,we will fight to live and we will not go down!" She knew Electra loved gossip and this was a good time to exploit that weakness. "There is someone I really like..." "Who,who!,she was jumping and flying in circles at this point."I'll tell you all about it on the way to the Summit."
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Adain's winged form soon swept up the mountainside and swung down into a graceful landing in the grounds of Summit. Soring sprang from the beasti's back as he shook himself. Sorin unfastened the saddle, and with a warbling cry of excitement, the earty-hued dragon bound over towards Kestrel in the odd, bounding gait that he adopted upon terra firma.
Sorin chuckled.
"The state of you Adain. Trained for years for war and you turn into an excited puppy at the sight of other dragons." he remarked, something that almost got him bowled over by a sweep from Adain's rudder-like tail.
-----
Elarain considered this.
"I'm not sure if we can risk that they don't already know of your involvement. A spy already managed to invade my fortress and I do not know what they saw...that scumbag...I would rip him apart if I could get close to him now..." she hissed.
"...Kowareta can lure them to you..and you and my pets can tear them down and bring them to me. You are also charged with ensuring that Kowareta does not give into his worst instincts and do something foolish that could put this in jeopardy. You are permitted to use whatever means necessary to ensure that this is carried out."
She reached into the ragged folds of her coat and produced a jagged, partially rounded object, resembling some sort of reflective stone bound in a rusted, metal frame.
"This is a Farreaching Mirror. I believe that another of its kind still hangs in the meeting hall at Summit. It allowed senior riders to communicate with those who remained there...or so I could gather...the one who donated it to me was not really in any state to talk.." she grinned, emitting a hissing laugh though her teeth before sliding the mirror across the damp stone floor, over to Kowareta.
"Picture Summit and it will open the link between them. They shall see you, and you can communicate back and forth. Though they shall only see you, not us. Beg them for help. Show them how pathetic you are."
Sorin chuckled.
"The state of you Adain. Trained for years for war and you turn into an excited puppy at the sight of other dragons." he remarked, something that almost got him bowled over by a sweep from Adain's rudder-like tail.
-----
Elarain considered this.
"I'm not sure if we can risk that they don't already know of your involvement. A spy already managed to invade my fortress and I do not know what they saw...that scumbag...I would rip him apart if I could get close to him now..." she hissed.
"...Kowareta can lure them to you..and you and my pets can tear them down and bring them to me. You are also charged with ensuring that Kowareta does not give into his worst instincts and do something foolish that could put this in jeopardy. You are permitted to use whatever means necessary to ensure that this is carried out."
She reached into the ragged folds of her coat and produced a jagged, partially rounded object, resembling some sort of reflective stone bound in a rusted, metal frame.
"This is a Farreaching Mirror. I believe that another of its kind still hangs in the meeting hall at Summit. It allowed senior riders to communicate with those who remained there...or so I could gather...the one who donated it to me was not really in any state to talk.." she grinned, emitting a hissing laugh though her teeth before sliding the mirror across the damp stone floor, over to Kowareta.
"Picture Summit and it will open the link between them. They shall see you, and you can communicate back and forth. Though they shall only see you, not us. Beg them for help. Show them how pathetic you are."
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Kess looked around, seeming almost surprised as Adain and Sorin landed on the ledge. Kestrel, already on her feet, met Adain half way from the edges, trilling a friendly greeting. Her wings beat slightly, opening and closing in her excitement. Kessenaye, accustomed to such movements ducked at precisely the right time to avoid being struck. He did it without thinking about it – it was simply natural, with their close bond, that he should be able to avoid a measured movement like that.
“Sorin,” Kess called out then, striding over to the other rider and greeting him with a brotherly embrace. It was nothing unusual for the young second-in-command. He treated the other riders like brothers, and always had. “I’m glad you made it. What news of your land?”
________________________________
Narcissa’s boots clicked quietly against the stone of the Summit’s floor, nearly overcome by the mixed scraping of draconic claws and the pattering of a young boy’s feet. Well, not so young, she reflected as she traced her son’s movements with dark brown eyes. He was twelve years old now, nearly thirteen, and still she thought of him as that little baby she had delivered right here on the Summit. It was thanks to the Dragon Riders that he was alive. It was no small wonder that he idolized them now, eager to become one himself, to bond with a dragon of his own. Perhaps he would find one soon…
“Mom!” Vell called, running back around a corner, into view. “Sorin just flew in! I saw him!”
Narcissa laughed quietly, covering her mouth to try to hide it. She shook her dark hair out of her eyes. The boy adored Sorin more than any other Rider – why, he could never really explain to Narcissa, he simply did.
“Then let’s go see him?” Narcissa suggested quietly. Vell gave a shout of delight and ran off towards Kestrel’s nesting ledge. All that Narcissa could do was follow him, and still she arrived a short while after Vell, who dashed out onto the ledge to stand with the others, bouncing in eager excitement.
“Sorin! Sorin, you’re back!” he cried, still young enough to become… easily excited. Kess looked down at Vell in amusement. The child was so… happy all the time. He clearly had no idea what was going on in the world of the Riders.
Narcissa followed her son out to greet the returning Rider, and of course, to greet Kess.
“It’s good to see you again,” she told them, a welcoming smile on her face. “Both of you. You really spend too much time out here, Kessenaye. It’s like you don’t live at the Summit.”
Kess shrugged.
“Sorry,” he answered, not sorry at all.
__________________________________
Kitherine paused, considering Elarain’s plan. It seemed sound, not that he was the best judge of that. He was the servant. It was not his place to judge. He turned to watch as she passed the Farreaching Mirror to Kowareta. Kitherine… rather wanted to see what the half-mad Rider would say. Would he blow the whole operation, or would he keep to Elarain’s words, and make it sound as though he were still himself, held a captive by a former comrade?
Either way, it should prove interesting.
“Sorin,” Kess called out then, striding over to the other rider and greeting him with a brotherly embrace. It was nothing unusual for the young second-in-command. He treated the other riders like brothers, and always had. “I’m glad you made it. What news of your land?”
________________________________
Narcissa’s boots clicked quietly against the stone of the Summit’s floor, nearly overcome by the mixed scraping of draconic claws and the pattering of a young boy’s feet. Well, not so young, she reflected as she traced her son’s movements with dark brown eyes. He was twelve years old now, nearly thirteen, and still she thought of him as that little baby she had delivered right here on the Summit. It was thanks to the Dragon Riders that he was alive. It was no small wonder that he idolized them now, eager to become one himself, to bond with a dragon of his own. Perhaps he would find one soon…
“Mom!” Vell called, running back around a corner, into view. “Sorin just flew in! I saw him!”
Narcissa laughed quietly, covering her mouth to try to hide it. She shook her dark hair out of her eyes. The boy adored Sorin more than any other Rider – why, he could never really explain to Narcissa, he simply did.
“Then let’s go see him?” Narcissa suggested quietly. Vell gave a shout of delight and ran off towards Kestrel’s nesting ledge. All that Narcissa could do was follow him, and still she arrived a short while after Vell, who dashed out onto the ledge to stand with the others, bouncing in eager excitement.
“Sorin! Sorin, you’re back!” he cried, still young enough to become… easily excited. Kess looked down at Vell in amusement. The child was so… happy all the time. He clearly had no idea what was going on in the world of the Riders.
Narcissa followed her son out to greet the returning Rider, and of course, to greet Kess.
“It’s good to see you again,” she told them, a welcoming smile on her face. “Both of you. You really spend too much time out here, Kessenaye. It’s like you don’t live at the Summit.”
Kess shrugged.
“Sorry,” he answered, not sorry at all.
__________________________________
Kitherine paused, considering Elarain’s plan. It seemed sound, not that he was the best judge of that. He was the servant. It was not his place to judge. He turned to watch as she passed the Farreaching Mirror to Kowareta. Kitherine… rather wanted to see what the half-mad Rider would say. Would he blow the whole operation, or would he keep to Elarain’s words, and make it sound as though he were still himself, held a captive by a former comrade?
Either way, it should prove interesting.
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Narcissa de Leone
"Mothers are some of the most dangerous creatures alive."
Tessa Quick
Street urchin and rogue turned dragon rider by a stroke of fortune and fate.
Kitherine Damacus
"Dual mentality serves a dual purpose."
Kessenaye
"I am the remnant, and I must be all that my family once was."
Kowareta Tsubasa
Mistress' proud play toy and protector/warrior
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Narcissa de Leone
"Mothers are some of the most dangerous creatures alive."
Kessenaye
"I am the remnant, and I must be all that my family once was."
Kitherine Damacus
"Dual mentality serves a dual purpose."
Kowareta Tsubasa
Mistress' proud play toy and protector/warrior
Tessa Quick
Street urchin and rogue turned dragon rider by a stroke of fortune and fate.
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Kitherine Damacus
"Dual mentality serves a dual purpose."
Kowareta Tsubasa
Mistress' proud play toy and protector/warrior
Tessa Quick
Street urchin and rogue turned dragon rider by a stroke of fortune and fate.
Narcissa de Leone
"Mothers are some of the most dangerous creatures alive."
Kessenaye
"I am the remnant, and I must be all that my family once was."
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Fallen Wings
1, 2by VitaminHeart on Sat Feb 11, 2012 8:19 pm
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- Last post by utahann
on Tue Mar 06, 2012 6:29 am
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Fallen Wings
Most recent OOC posts in Fallen Wings
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
Ohh, I see.
Well the riders would have non-rider staff at The Summit to deal with equipment, small tasks, and to ensure the needs of all the dragons are seen to (as you can imagine, keeping several dozen dragons fed is no small feat) though they're most likely no assigned to a particular rider as squires might be assigned to a knight. They work more on an as and when basis.
Well the riders would have non-rider staff at The Summit to deal with equipment, small tasks, and to ensure the needs of all the dragons are seen to (as you can imagine, keeping several dozen dragons fed is no small feat) though they're most likely no assigned to a particular rider as squires might be assigned to a knight. They work more on an as and when basis.
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
erm, dragon riders ^^;;
I suppose I meant to ask if the dragon riders have some sort of assistance from a younger non-rider type person, comparable to the relationship between a knight and squire.
I suppose I meant to ask if the dragon riders have some sort of assistance from a younger non-rider type person, comparable to the relationship between a knight and squire.
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
finish my char finally ^^...please check him out and tell me if I should change anything, 'kay?
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
A pairing with a rider doesn't necessarily make a human like, say, an elf. They will age and get older and probably frailer as mortals do, though their life and vitality is extended somewhat by their bond. Mortal species tend to get paired up with shorter-lived species of dragons for such a reason as that they're quite long-lived, but still age.
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
I can take up another character, as well.
Also, I was wondering about the lifespans of the elves, dwarves, orcs, etc. and whether or not the pairing of dragon and rider extends a rider's lifespan?
Also, I was wondering about the lifespans of the elves, dwarves, orcs, etc. and whether or not the pairing of dragon and rider extends a rider's lifespan?
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
Thanks, that's always handy, I have another rider/dragon team, Sorin and Adain, ready for this plot, I just need to write up a decent profile for them.
I've also got an intro post of Elarain in mind as well to get on with.
I've also got an intro post of Elarain in mind as well to get on with.
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
If you need anyone to play multiple characters to get the RP running, I volunteer! ^.^
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
Just had a read over, your character sounds great. I've accepted the application and it should be up now.
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
Mm, I submitted a character. Hopefully she's up to par. If not, I'll change her.
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
Alright folks, I'll put the reservations down for you.
I'll probably also bring in a dragon rider character today as well, since Elarain is already up.
I'll probably also bring in a dragon rider character today as well, since Elarain is already up.
Re: [OOC] Fallen Wings
It would seem so, Everscale..XD...not that I have any complains about it though XD XD