The night was silent. Only the wind sung its slow, mournful songs on the sharp edges of rocks, passing through narrow valleys and circling around peaks of mountains. The sky was clear, and stars shone bright under its dark dome, like thousands of diamonds, tossed onto the black velvet of night.
Fire kindled on a few thick branches, laid down in a stone circle, dancing under a roasting piece of meat. Athran hummed an old song to himself, leaning on Maigrod behind himself, watching over his food. The dragon moved his front leg and softly poked him.
"Stop singing. I need some sleep." he mumbled. Athran sighed. "It's not even loud. I have my lute with myself - do you want to hear real singing?"
"Rather not. I surely wouldn't fall asleep! If you carried a knight on your back all day, you would want to sleep, too."
"Alright. I'm sorry." Athran stroke Maigrod's side. The black leather of gauntlets sled on his dark scales, glinting in the fire, and he saw the dragon's eyes closing again. "Good night."
He continued turning the stick with meat in silence. Maigrod behind him coiled up into an elegant arch, covering his legs with his wide wings, and slept like every night before. Athran often envied how he could fall asleep anywhere, and anytime - unlike him, he spent most nights wide awake except for a few hours. The dragon fully deserved his rest... After all, he carried him all day. All Athran had to do was hunt for his own food, and that was nothing difficult for a skilled and experienced hunter, although wild beasts weren't numerous in the mountains, and they were rather watchful. It only took one black-feathered arrow from afar, and he was provided with dinner and tomorrow's breakfast.
Something rustled the leaves of a nearby bush. Athran immediately sprung to his feet, but there was nothing - he and Maigrod were the only creatures around.
"Just wind." he whispered to himself.
Solgata and Lunaline where playing in some area they didn't care to name, but alas, they where playing. They hit some bushes as they rustled, then again, and again, again and again, after finally the two kittens flew through the bushes, went into a playful aggressive stance before looking to a large dragon.
Taiyou panted for breath, slipping in and out of conscious. Her mission to obtain the polished stone from the wild dragon had been successful, but she didn't come out un harmed. She didn't know that the members of secret order would be waiting for her at the mountain. Squads of men are nothing to a weather-witch and her dragon she thought, clutching her arrow pierced side. Nothing. The polished stone in Shioko's saddle bag was proof of it.
I have to reach Ketra. Before they reach me, she thought, but the girl knew she was pushing herself far. She used up too much magic. She was hurt. Shioko sensed his rider's tension. Shioko tried to go faster, but he , too was wounded. The battle with the dragon had left him weary.
She clutched to her reigns tightly, grimancing. Shioko sensed his rider's tension, looking back at her now and then.
"I'm fine, keep going," Taiyou lied weakly through clutched teeth. She was an Adelan rider and she had to make it...
That was the last thought the girl had before her world turned to darkness, her cursed arm throbbing. Thankfully, she did not fall out of the saddle; it had a buckle to keep her in place when Shioko did loops.
Shioko shrieked in the night. What could he do? But the dragon knew- he smelled one of his kind up ahead, with a two-legger. A familiar scent, though one he only encountered once and in passing. They were Adelan riders. Exhausted, he clumsily landed by their camp. He stared and sniffed at Maigrod, a low growl in the back of his throat. Shioko wanted their help, but if this men and his dragon proved unfriendly, he had a fire in his belly to answer for it.
Athran immediately jumped up upon noticing something moving nearby. This was no wind - it was a dragon! And it landed so close...
"Maigrod! Wake up, Maigrod!" he hissed. Maigrod was, however, already awake - he smelled the scent of another dragon and his rider long before even Athran's keen eyes noticed them. The elf drew his long sword, clenching his hands around the ornate handle, strapped by leather. He walked silently, only stones crunched underneath his feet, and taking a defensive stance, he moved towards the Shioko.
A rider and his dragon just as he and Maigrod, but even in the dark, he could see that the woman, seated in the dragon's saddle, was much younger than himself. She looked like sleeping, and Athran's arms came down a little, but he was still wary, keeping his eyes on the riders.
"Hey! Who are you? What are you doing here?" he asked silently, walking around them. Maigrod was crouching behind his back, sniffing at the other dragon, and proceeded to let out a growl himself. Their scent was unfamiliar to him, but not different from many others...
She was still almost a child. Athran's sword sunk a bit lower again, and he released most of the tension in his body, noticing that both the dragon and his rider were apparently tired and maybe even hurt. He let go of the hilt with his left hand, and snapped his fingers - a bright flame appeared above their tips, trembling in the wind. He used it as a lantern, carefully checking over the girl.
"Are you alright?"
As soon as the dragon landed, the kittens went in a defensive stance, with Solgata bursting with Solar Flames and Lunaline with Lunar Frost. You could now clearly see them as they looked cute and adorable. After all, they where Kittens. Ancient Kittens. Ancient Kittens with Great Power. Ancient Kittens with Great Power somehow linked the the corruption and fall of an entire civilization. But you could never tell that from appearances... The Flames and Frost sparking from them may be a slight clue.
Shioko glared at Maigrod for a moment longer before Athran distracted his attention. The dragon rested his head on the ground towards Maigrod, demonstrating that he was submissive. He flicked his tail nervous and impatient. His eyes flickered towards the kittens. A dragon did not fear kittens... but they were strange, and at the moment, Shioko was wary of strangeness.
Taiyou moaned as Athran addressed her. She fluttered her eyes open.
I'm tried, she thought through shallow breaths.
she felt numb. It hurt to move. She turned her head towards the elf and slowly sat up, momentarily revealing the arrow that pierced her side, before collapsing again in her saddle with a pained moan.
I can't move, she wanted to say.
"Rider?" she managed to ask. "Adela? Agh!"
She curled up again, hissing.
Athran almost let the flame above his hand blow out upon noticing the arrow. She was obviously hurt. He leaned over Shioko and grabbed her by the shoulder, trying to hold her up.
"Yes, I'm a dragon rider. From Adela." he assured her. The flame disappeared, allowing him to safely unbuckle the belt that kept her in the saddle, and he carefully picked her up.
"Maigrod... Take a look at the dragon, he seems tired, too. Maybe he's hurt like her." he ordered the great black dragon behind. Maigrod took a step towards Shioko, carefully avoiding the pair of kittens. They didn't seem dangerous, but there was something unusual about them.
Meanwhile, Athran laid Taiyou down near the fire. He unpinned his cape and covered her with the black fabric, much longer than she was tall.
"Can you talk?"
He held her head up a little, kneeling by her side. She seemed only a bit older than a child, at least next to someone like him.
OOC: gonna assume dragons can talk to each other :P
IC:
Shioko drew his head back slightly from
Greetings, elder, he said in a low growl. He turned his eyes towards the cats.
Ancient ones.
The dragon turned his attention back to Maigrod.
My name is Shioko. The girl's name is Taiyou. Enemies from afar attacked us in the mountains. They shouldn't have followed us here. They came on horse. The cowards took over the mind of one of ours, a wild brother.
His eyes wandered towards Athran.
I think I have some sticks in me, he admitted, sheepishly. The bites felt itchy and irritating, but nothing serious. It was the dragon scratches that were more serious, but dragons could sleep off some wounds. Humans, though...
Taiyou could barely hear Athran, her mind wandering. Taiyou didn't know she was cold until the cloak draped over it. She felt a bit more comfortable than she had before. She tried to focus on the rider's voice, his face. He was pale for a rider, but that wasn't so unusual. Some of the riders had ancestors from far away. His ears, though. There was something strange about his ears...
"A little, sir," she rasped. Her throat was dry, her lips cracked. "Water, please."
Athran handed her a bottle of water from his bag, and held it by her lips.
"Here." He turned it up a little bit and let her drink, still holding her head with one hand. "I'll try to help, though I'm no healer. However, I'm afraid I'll have to take parts of your armour off..." He spoke softly, at least when compared to his usual tone, and begun searching for a short knife in his pockets, with which he could prepare bandages from whatever he'd find - even his tunic, if it would be necessary.
Maigrod glanced at the pair of kittens, then turned back to Shioko.
I should rather ask my rider, if you need to have them pulled out, Shioko. He has hands. He growled back and stretched his legs.
Mortals are not trouble neither for me, nor for him, speaking of those. But one of us could be dangerous.
I am Maigrod. My rider's name is Athran. He introduced himself with a slight bow of his head. His crimson eyes glinted in the light of the fire, burning afar.
In the meantime, Athran begun treating Taiyou. He took off his gauntets, removed the arrow from her side and begun cleaning the wound.
"I'm sorry if I'm rough, or if it hurts. I'm not used to heal others than myself." His hands were fast and steady, though he tried not to be too hard. He saw her eyes, staring at his face, and instinctively moved a few wisps of his hair behind his ear.
"Thanks," she replied. She drank the cool water deeply and nodded at his words.
"Okay," she whispered, watching as he worked.
Under her leather armor, she wore black shirt and a sarashi to bind her breasts. A whistle shaped like a wolf hung around her neck. Most maids would have blushed or protested against getting her clothes partially removed by a man, especially a stranger, but Taiyou was a Rider, and a wounded one. Modesty held no grounds here.
She sucked in a breath the moment he grasped the arrow. Though she mentally prepared herself for what came next, the girl trashed as he pulled it out, letting out a wild cry. For that moment, the winds picked up, the trees whistling. To their song, Taiyou passed out.
Many thanks, Maigrod, Shioko responded. We are in yours and Athran's debt.
He lowered his head onto the ground and turned towards the kittens.
Are these your friends? he asked. What are your names?
Maigrod let out a low growl.
I have never seen them before. But they're no ordinary animals to my eyes. He gave them a short glance once more.
Whether you're in debt, that's Athran's business. I'm only doing what is necessary.
Athran flinched at her cry a little, worried whether he's too rough. It was a long time since he laid his hands on another person... The last time he held a woman was with Yhrana. The accursed witch, he thought. Holding her now, I'd be three times rougher every time I grabbed her backstabbing neck.
While his mind roamed through his dark memories, he cut off most of her clothes and cleaned her wounds with water. He had to pull out his long tunic and rip parts of the black fabric, soaked in smell of wine, fire and his sweat, to bandage them.
"I don't have anything better. I can't take good care of you. I'm sorry." he uttered silently. From a small pocket in his bag he pulled out a long needle and a piece of thread.
"This may hurt, but I need to do it."
The piece of steel between his fingers pierced the skin on her side and begun to sew up the wound.
"If it's too bad, tell me."
The kittens remained completely still. By now, flames and light flew out of Solgata and Frost and Darkness out of Lunaline. They where still still.
Still still.
Still.
Still.
Almost frozen. After a while they just dropped to the ground, watching the ones watching them.
Shioko puffed out a smoke cloud, gently nudging his head against Solgata.
I don't think they understand us, he told Maigrod. What do they want with us?
If anything at all! But still, for the two ancients to venture in the forest unharmed and to be here. Fate had a curious design.
Taiyou was too proud to say anything. She had awoken when the needle pierced her skin, its touch like fire. She grunted and gasped, but said nothing during the whole precedure. She had carried her staff on her person, the carved wooden pole lying by her. With a gloved hand she gripped tight to it, as if to draw from its energy. To keep her mind busy, she hummed a song popular in the city. When the procedure was over, she peeked open her green eyes.
Her vision was less hazy now. Taiyou could make out the elf's ears, his hardened and scarred face, his armor. A true warrior, she thought.
"I'm indebted to you, sir Knight," Taiyou said.
Her eyes drifted towards his dragon, Maigrod. He was much bigger than Shioko, and carried an air of elegance and danger.
So beautiful!
She tried to sit up to greet the dragon, as it was polite to do, but she made a face and plopped back down.
Bad, bad idea, she thought, her head swimming.
Her eyes widened in delight at the sight of the kittens. Oh, it was a strange site indeed, to think that one that looked like the elf traveled on dragon back with a pair of kittens! Still, they were very cute.
So I wasn't going crazy!
"Sir knight keeps... pets?" she asked.
Maigrod narrowed his eyes and softly growled at the kittens.
I don't know. I doubt even our riders would know, if we asked. But I don't think they want us harm...
It was strange to find something so ancient and powerful in such an innocent, soft form. But that is the beauty and wonder of such meetings.
Athran laughed a little at Taiyou's last question, but shook his head in surprise. "I don't. Those aren't mine - I haven't ever seen them in my life. Before, I thought they were yours." he replied.
His hands begun carefully bandaging the wounds. "And don't call me sir. Please. My name is Athran..." he wagged his head towards the mass of muscles and black scales afar, "And that's Maigrod. You're in no debt at all, my lady. I'm doing what's necessary and what I, as a knight and dragon rider, feel as my duty."
He, suddenly moved by the silent melody he heard, begun singing, quietly, an old song that came to his mind. He wondered how did he even remember it, because it was a very long time since he last heard or sang it himself - it was one of the songs he learned in his youth, while still living with his father. The melody had roots deep in his mind, and the words came by themselves, flowing like a river from his lips.
And the wind sang along.
The Kittens started looking around, unsure of what to do. So, in a sign of confusion, they, in unison, meowed. Now it was obvious, even to the riders, that they where no ordinary kittens. Power flowed from them. One was one fire and glowing, the over had frost and darkness. They where so adorable...
Shioko scoffed as the kittens ignored him, confused. He realized when they started to glow that they had no rhyme or reason to their actions. The dragon almost wanted to eat one, just to see what would happen.
Taiyou's lips tugged into a grin at Athrans response. He was at least a little humble- most knights liked the flattery. Taiyou didn't like titles much, either, and was thankful to drop them.
"Then thank you, Athran and Maigrod," she said. "My name's Taiyou. I'm a soldier. I'm not a proper knight yet. But I"m working on it!"
Taiyou's chest almost puffed out with pride at that. She tilted her head towards her dragon.
"That's Shioko. "
Anthran began to sing.The melody was beautiful and vaguely familiar, though Taiyou did not understand the words. The song could've mesmerized Taiyou, but something else occupied her mind. The girl struggled to sit up. Slowly, as she leaned on her staff for support, Taiyou struggled to her feet.
"I have to pull the arrows out of Shioko's scales," she grunted.
She frowned at the cats, her green eyes growing wide. If they weren't Athran's, then whose were they? Kittens all by themselves. The young woman was inclined to think they were just some beings in disguise or something equally disturbing.
Shioko emitted a stern and low growl at his rider.
Lay back down!
"It's a pleasure, Taiyou and Shioko. I'm sure one day you'll be a good knight. When I was as young as you seem to me, I was just a soldier, too. It all comes with age." he replied, grinning.
As she stood up, it was clear she was struggling to at least keep on her feet. Athran grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her back to the fire, giving her a hard stare down. "No. I will. You keep down. There should be some food and a small wineskin that's still half full somewhere in the bag over there, so if you're hungry, have a little. But I'll take care of Shioko. Don't stand up." His voice was much harder than before, giving orders instead of advice and suggestions. Just like he was used to.
He walked to Shioko and slowly put one hand onto his scales. "I'll look for the arrows and pull them out. It may hurt a bit, but I can't do anything to help except for that. Just keep still and it will be gone in a moment."
While talking, he started searching for the arrows and carefully pulling them out, one by one. Maigrod's crimson eyes flashed from him to the young dragon and back again, narrowed, but perceiving every detail.
It's unusual to see a dragon and his rider so young. I only met Athran when we were both much older. he growled shortly, putting his head down onto his crossed legs.
"It requires talent," nodded Athran. "You tried to rip me to pieces. And I couldn't stop you even though I was already 30." He chuckled a little.
And you did the same to me in return... But forgive a young dragon for considering knights intruders and food in a hard shell.
Athran burst out laughing. "Maigrod! Damn the gods, stay quiet, or I'll never get those arrows out of Shioko! I bet it's not what you want..." he groaned, gasping for breath.
I'm sorry. Maigrod made a silent, but playful growl. You don't resemble food to me today. You're all bones.
"I've always been all bones."
Taiyou cried in surprise as Athran pulled her by the fire.
"O-okay," she replied, a little shaken.
The girl couldn't help but to smile as Athran attended to her dragon.
He's so nice, she thought, admiring the elf. IT was rare to find a knight that fully embodied the entirety of the code. Of course, there were always the men who acted courteous around women... Still, Taiyou was deeply grateful for his help. She made a face at the bag of food. Despite her pain, she was hungry.
But it's so far...
The girl took a deep breath and carefully moved over towards the bag. She found a loaf of bread and broke it in half. She didn't want him to think she was greedy. What sort of thanks was that?
Shioko grunted in response to Athran. His eyes met Taiyou's.
Are you alright little one?
I'm alright, she reassured him with a small smile, wincing a little.
At least she'd live.
Taiyou arched her brow listening to Athren speak to Maigrod.
"Ripped to pieces? Thirty?" she said, giggling. She looked at Shioko fondly.
"That one burned me the moment he got out of his shell," she explained.
"I was seven, not yet a student."
The girl winced again. Talking too much hurt too, apparently.
Taiyou took a sullen bite of bread as she eyed the kittens with deep suspicion.
Tell a secret in front of them and they'll give it away.
She told herself she was being paranoid. After all, she still had that mission to carry out.
She examined her cursed arm, the curse seemingly like a tattoo.
I want it to go away, she thought stubbornly.
It was just then that she noticed something was up with the kittens.
"Oh, my gosh," she squeaked, scooting a little back.
"Why is that one glowing? And the other... "
They're older than the forest, Shioko told her.
That's so, so creepy, she thought, resolving to keep her distance.
Shioko chuckled.
Scared of kittens?
Taiyou scowled.
A warrior's not afraid of kittens! Just... They're weird.
"Are you returning from a mission, too?" she asked Athren, her green eyes still focused on the cats. She had a hand on her staff if they tried anything.
She didn't want to reveal the nature of hers if she had to. Especially not in front of cats!
She was unware of the stone vibrating in Shioko's saddlebag.
The cats had no idea what was going on. They where nervous, and that made the Kittens nervous. Then finally, they just dropped before walking up for them. They where hungry, even though he couldn't die of hunger. Solgata nicely meowed in the way that would mean "Please people, we are very hungry and would like some food" but they would probably translate it to "HELP!" while Lunaline just looked at the food.
Athran grinned. "Maigrod did try to set me on fire..."
Unfortunately for me back then, you are fireproof.
"Not claw-proof, though. When fire didn't work, you skewed those pretty deep into me." he glanced over his shoulder at his back, "You can still see the result of that on my back. I even feel it at times..."
I already apologized for that three hundred years ago. However, I'm a dragon, not a healer. Maigrod seemed almost annoyed by Athran constantly bringing up the past.
"And I'm an elf, not an idiot!" Athran growled. "You don't have to get angry every time someone speaks about your past! Lower the ego, Maigrod. Everybody makes mistakes."
The right one speaks... growled Maigrod, and turned his head away from Athran.
It wasn't that unusual for them to have smaller arguments, which usually resulted in a few minutes of silence between them. Athran remained silent for a while, and Maigrod pretended to be asleep.
"Seven is not much, though. I was already learning to fight at seven, too, but I didn't see a dragon till I was fifteen." And my mother was still alive when I was seven.
He noticed the kittens' unusual behavior shortly after her. They seemed like ordinary animals... But he was sure that they weren't. Even Maigrod wasn't behaving in his usual ways around them. "None of them has seen them before," he uttered, "they must have come on their own. But to me, they come different than normal cats. There's something in work in here what I cease to understand. I'd put my right hand to the fire that they're not anything ordinary."
Maigrod winged off and growled. You notice it rather soon... He sniffed at the kittens. They are ancient. Older than us, as old as those mountains.
Athran only nodded. "So now you're talking to me again? Make up your mind."
Not talking to you. Only attempting to show you what your ignorant highness doesn't see.
Athran sighed. A hot-blooded dragon and a hot-blooded knight were not a good match for arguments.
It took him a while to realize she asked him something. "A... A mission? Me? That's a good joke. Nobody sends me on missions anymore." he answered, shaking his head.
"But there's something... In your saddlebags. It's warm and it moves - are you sure you didn't forget any possession of yours in it?"
OOC: sorry it took me a while!
IC:
Shioko puffed out a breath of hot air as Athran pulled out the arrows.
Thank you, Rider Athran, he told Athran.
Meanwhile, Taiyou jumped when the kittens collapsed.
"Oh, gods," she squeaked. What the hell?
Hungry, Shioko rumbled.
"Oh, right," Taiyou muttered. She toreoff small pieces of her bread and gently tossed them at the cats, wondering if they'd respond.
"No missions?" Taiyou asked Athran, amazed at his response.
He was a free elf. He was so strong and kind, it was hard to imagine that he wasn't being put to work! Still, Taiyou eyed his scars and did not doubt he had seen his time in battle. She looked down at her staff. Of course she had responsibilities to the realm, and she gladly served, yet part of her ached for that sort of freedom. Then, she could go wherever she wanted and do whatever she wanted, without survailence!
At Athran's question, she blanched.
The stone!
"N-no," Taiyou responded, trying not to freak. "Please, leave it alone."
Be still, Shioko told her, though the dragon was also tense. He rose his head, his dark eyes searching the foerst, alert.
Taiyou grabbed her cursed arm. It throbbed, the vine patterns starting to movee. She closed her eyes as she took deep breaths.
Focus. Don't lose yourself. Shioko growled as the winds howled.
There's a spirit in these woods, he said. Stay here, child.
"I am here," Taiyou protested. She pouted at the cats.
"I don't think it's them," she muttered.
As soon as the bread was thrown, the cats looked at it, then each other, then the bread and that changed every few seconds before they started fighting over the bread... and not like normal cats.
An Inferno of fire and light spurted and fought with a Glacier Golem of Darkness.
Then Several miniature suns started fighting several moons of the same size.
Then Fire Elementals came from the ground to fight Ice Elementals.
Light vs Dark.
Fire vs Cold.
By now, the bred was half- frozen, half-incinerated. I guess you could say they where hungry.
It had gotten dark sooner than expected. Lucian wandered through the wilderness, as he often did, searching. He wasn't sure what he was looking for, but he was looking nonetheless. He soon spotted a campfire in the distance. Perhaps he could ask them owners of the small camp for directions. As he made his way toward the camp, he came across a small group of five armed men mumbling something about a girl and a dragon. Maybe the camp belonged to them. Lucian approached the men and asked them. It was a big mistake. The men drew their weapons and advanced upon him, hurling insults and battle cries in order to make themselves feel a little more confident in taking on someone of Lucian's size. Lucian was in the fight of his life with no way to defend himself. Maybe the people at the camp would here and come help him, but he doubted it.
"No missions at all. I do what I want - nobody commands me. After all, I only obey the laws and commands I like." Athran winged off. There was never really anyone to tell him what to do - nobody dared to do so.
He made a step towards the fire, when Maigrod stopped him. There is someone else in the forest. I hear battle.
"Battle?" Athran raised a brow.
If you would put that pointed ears of yours to a good use, you'd hear it, too. It is close... the dragon replied.
"If that's it... Keep guard over Taiyou and Shioko. I'll be back in a short while."
Athran's hands gripped the hilt of the Black Sword and drew half of its dark blade from the sheath. It was dark, but he could see the forest around them, and soon heard the sounds of battle, coming from afar. Screaming and cries. Sound of metal upon metal.
His own sword was immediately drawn as he made one step away from the camp, and started running in the direction from which he thought the sounds were coming from.
He wasn't mistaken.
"Battle?" Taiyou said, shaken.
Alarmed, she looked over at Shioko.
How'd they get so close?! she asked.
You don't know if it's members of the cult, he tried to assure her, but even the dragon doubted himself.
It could be bandits.
You know as well as I it's not bandits, Taiyou responded, but they were interrupted by the fury of magic from the cats.
Shioko growled at their celestrial dance, percieving the display of magic as a threat. The suns were hotter than dragon fire, but the dragon all the same growled at the kittens and swooped his tail at them. He didn't care if htey were ancient or not- but they could only be a threat to his rider!
Taiyou watched the display, a bit frightened. She had never seen anything as such in her life, and it was a bad time for displays.
Come, she told Shioko as the vines on her arm contrasted. Taiyou screamed as the fires crackled louder than usual and shot in a spiral into the night. Emerging from it a threatening figure of dark coal and hellfire, an ifrit with burning blue-white eyes.
"Give us the stone, rider," it boomed.
Maigrod roared and shifted his great black body to protect Taiyou and Shioko from the ifrit.
Leave that thing. Don't move and don't attack it. We will see what it wants... Until Athran returns, I won't act first. I don't know what it is, but don't go close to it! he growled, slashing his tail and showing the long, sharp fangs that filled his mouth like daggers.
In that moment, Athran rushed back in, the Black Sword kindling with small flames. He couldn't run for some fight, far from the camp, when something strange was happening in there... "What is this?" he shouted. What was the strange thing supposed to be?
He gripped the sword even tighter and made a step forth. "What do you want?" he growled at the ifrit, watching every move its trembling form made.
I don't know what is it... Keep it entertained till it leaves or dies, or whatever you wish, but I'll protect those two. Maigrod informed him. Athran nodded. Whatever this thing might attempt to do, his reply will be quick.
Lucian was not much of a fighter. He didn't even carry any weapons, but he was aware of his size and strength advantage. The first to attack him charged at him with a spear. Lucian caught the spear with both hands and used it to fling the man holding it. The next man had an axe. Lucian, again, caught his weapon before it connected and landed a bone-shattering punch on the man's jaw. Two down, but he wasn't out of the woods yet.
Too weak to move on her own, Taiyou grabbed hold of Shioko's tail. The dragon dragged her back to safety, away from the fire. She panted, half in a trance. Her magic wanted to respond to it, but Taiyou focused on not giving into the creature.
The ifrit chuckled, his laugh awful and the sound of moaning wood and cracking stones.
"Another rider? How quaint," the demon sneered.
"Step aside, fool. The cursed child has what I seek. Such power shouldn't be in the hands of the wimpy knights of Adela!"
Taiyou whimpered as she felt the ifrit reaching for her mind.
"Get out of my head!" she growled, pushing it away.
"If you had any idea who are you speaking to, you'd be rushing out of here!" Athran glowered. The blade of the Black Sword suddenly blazed with great fires, white like the stars on the sky, and illuminated Athran's tall figure with light. "I'm not any knight you would meet on a stroll through the countryside."
He leaped forth and smote the ifrit with the flaming sword. Maigrod shielded Sioko and Taiyou from the fire and light with his wide wings. The dark figure bent under Athran's blow, hardly avoiding the rain of lightning-fast strikes that followed after.
Maigrod was fully focusing on trying to protect the two. He knows what he's doing...
"I am death of the immortals..." Athran's own body started burning with fire, slowly changing the color of flames from white to even hotter azure. "I am death in fire. I am the Deathstorm. You made a mistake to come near!"
Lucian was victorious with only a few cuts to show for it. The wounds weren't too serious, though. He looked back to the camp and it seemed that the fire had gotten bigger. Lucian began making his way toward the camp. He didn't know what else to do.
After several dozens of seconds later, The Kittens where still going at it. One was attacked with a tail, but the tail surely got burnt. Still, Ginger fell down a bit of the mountain, whereupon Sophie took the now-inedible frozen ash-bread. Happy with her winnings, She went along with her brother, now ignoring the ruined bread.
Shioko pulled his tail back, irritably. The suns frayed the edges of a few scales, but he thankfully wasn't hurt.
The ifrit chuckled at Athran's bravado.
"And I am your bane," he boomed as he stepped out of the fire. He stepped out of the fire and screeched as he spewed a blast of hell fire.
Taiyou laid on the ground as she pinned her cursed arm to the ground, sparks of lightning at her finger tips.
She gasped for breath as she tried to control it, but found she couldn't pull it back in, only contain it.
"Shioko, Maigrod!" she commanded with a new found strength in her voice. Her green eyes dangerously glowing orange.
"Get out of my way, now!"
Athran threw his head back in laughter. "This is a mere beginning. You know nothing!" he cried out, circling around the ifrit in a lightning-fast dance of blazing blows. The Black Sword, moving in all directions, was only a distorted light, so fast were Athran's moves. His goal wasn't to smite the ifrit immediately, but rather weaken it and then bring down with a single blow.
The hellish flames may have been a tad surprising, but they couldn't possibly harm the knight. They just passed by, disappearing in the darkness. Athran's eyes glinted with his own fire...
Maigrod stepped aside at Taiyou's cry, watching her with his crimson eyes. Something was going on and he didn't want to get into the middle of that something...
A sudden blast if incredible light and fire exploded from the figures of Athran and the ifrit. It was like a star, brought onto the surface of Earth, so bright and shining. All the dragon could assume was that the elf finally skewed his sword into the ifrit - and he was right. The Black Sword was amid the light, streaming from the ifrit, cut into two...
The ifrit howled.
"I am not of this world!" he boomed.
A fiery ball emerged from its body and raced towards Taiyou. Shioko roared and tried to bite the creature but it slipped past him.
"Child you're mine!" it hissed.
Tell Athran stone! Taiyou told her dragon through their bond. Shioko relied the mesage to Maigrod.
Tai cried out as she struck the demon spirit with bolts of lightning. A stray one struck a yard from the kitten with bread and two others dangerously close to the elf. Taiyou gritted her teeth. The deomon was trying to enter her body!
Shioko lend me your strength, she asked her dragon as she pulled lightning from her staff. But She wasted too much energy. Darkness beckoned her again.
Not yet, Taiyou thought as the demon started to slip into her, but not entirely yet....
Lucian was having a hard time comprehending what was going on. There was all kinds of lightning, and fire, and whatever else. He wasn't sure if he should get involved, so he just watched.
Athran smote the ifrit again, this time into its back. It didn't go too well... Maigrod shifted aside from Taiyou, but tried to send a message to her mind. Don't let him in. Keep awake... Take my strength. he offered her, and his long tail slashed towards the ifrit.
Athran immediately knew what's going on. Maigrod has joined the battle. The dragon hit the ifrit, making it collapse onto the ground, and entirely bathed him in the auburn fire, streaming from beneath his sharp fangs. The elf sprang from the air and landed on the ifrit's body, determined to rip it apart with his bare hands. The fire couldn't harm him - only singed his clothes a little.
His hands gripped the creature's neck. "From this world or not... Death comes even for you." Its body cracked under his hands. "And I am death!"
Be the hunter, Shioko growled affectionately.
Taiyou mouthed a silent thank you to both dragons as they lended her their power. Her mind felt less fuzzy, her body less in pain. She almost threw her head back and laughed. The dragon's energy tickled in her blood and bones, filling her with an overwhelming rush of power and joy. The girl rose to her feet as if her wounds had mended and reached into Shioko's saddle bag.
The stone throbbed in her arms, and Taiyou could hear the voices of the demons and djinn that called for her.
I won't be your vessel, she silenced them.
She reached out the stone and began to recite words in an old and elegant tongue, full of elegance and authority. It was Old Elvish, though Taiyou did not know. What she did was it was a spell of purification, and one that would draw the demon back through the portal. It hissed as it felt its soul being dragged away, clawing at her mind. As he disappeared, the orange light left her eyes. The ifrit's body crumbled to ash.
That wasn't its real body, Taiyou wanted to point out.
Before she knew it, she collapsed and passed out. Shioko growled and licked her face, his posture only relaxing when he could hear her faint, but steady, breathing. She would be asleep for a long while. His tail wrapped around the stone as he looked up. The dragon growled aggressively. Blood. He smelt blood coming off of Lucian. Blood of the men that hunted them.
Who are you? he asked, projecting his mind towards the man. Speak!
Shioko snarled, revealing rows of pointed teeth.
The dragon was itching for an excuse to fight.
Lucian cautiously stepped out of the bushes and didn't know what to make of what he saw.
"Uh....."
What was he to say? A giant lizard thing was talking to him. The other things that had ever spoken to him were people, or at least had the same basic shape as a human. Lucian looked the dragon up and down, drinking in every detail. He had never seen anything like it before.
Athran collapsed to his knees. He heard Taiyou's voice reciting in the beautiful language of his youth, and then the ifrit just... Disappeared. Fell to ash beneath his very hands. He didn't understand... His mind was spinning in confusion. What, gods be damned, just happened?
Maigrod stepped forwards to him, and let him lean against the tip of his tail. He seemed content, almost happy - Athran was sure he knew far more about this than himself. The dragon growled silently as the knight clutched the spikes, lining his tail, and helped him up. Half of his clothes were burned, and he was standing there in his red-hot chainmail shirt and remains of leather armour. Only now it was visible how many weapons he carried on his body, as their sheaths were exposed when his clothes burned away. There were daggers and knives all around him...
He would have simply taken his rider to the campfire, that mysteriously still remained unchanged, if not for Shioko's growl. He immediately turned around, accidentally knocking Athran over with his tail, and rushed towards the younger dragon. The presence of another human was clear.
"Hey!" Athran groaned, standing back up. "Go take care of Taiyou. Both of you. I'll deal with the newcomer..." he cried out, stumbling to Lucian. Maigrod bowed his head down a little, but refused to obey. Instead, he covered Athran's back with his wings, and took a defensive pose as the elf crossed his arms on his chest. "Who are you, and what do you want here?" he asked roughly. His eyes glinted in the dim light beneath the strands of his dark hair, and he looked down at the man.
"I..uh..I was lost," Lucian stammered, still in awe of the dragons. "I'm still lost actually. I saw a campfire and thought that, maybe, the owners would help me, but I was attacked on the way here."
Lucian could tell that this man was different. He didn't know what it was, but something was, well, just different. He also had pointed ears, which in and of themselves were unusual.
Athran raised a brow, still standing with his arms crossed. Maigrod's wings shifted further towards him, shielding him from any unexpected attacks.
I'm certain that he didn't interfere in the fight with... The creature. Does he want food? the dragon asked. Athran shrugged. Most likely. He was probably the one in the fight we overheard... I don't trust him, but he doesn't seem necessarily evil.
And if he is? Maigrod softly slashed his tail against the ground.
Then he dies. Athran's glance hardened even more, and he turned his attention back to the man.
"What do you want of us?" he asked. His right hand turned a little, gripping the handle of a dagger, fastened to his forearm, shielded from the stranger's sight. If he would attempt anything, he would kill him...
What did he want? Lucian had not planned this far ahead. What did he want? He knew he wanted help, but he had never decided what constituted help.
"Well, I....um....I don't know," Lucian replied.
Lucian's eyes drifted back to the dragon. It was frightening and fascinating all at the same time, but it looked sort of angry. Had he done something wrong? Lucian was awfully confused about this whole ordeal. He didn't have the slightest idea of what was going on, and now he was being interrogated.
Athran rolled his eyes over. He was tired, and questioning this fool was taking far too much energy out of him. Maigrod growled upon watching his patience quickly disappearing, and one would have sworn it was a laugh.
"So you don't know." Athran winged off. "Of what help is that to me? Tell me what you want here, or get lost. This isn't a refugee camp, an inn, or anything even close to that. If you want food, you'll have to hunt it yourself!" His patience has just reached the bitter end, and what followed after was far from being nice.
He leaned against Maigrod's back, crossing his legs, and glanced at Lucian over his shoulder. "Come on. I'm waiting... And you're wasting my precious time."
"Your precious time for what," Lucian asked. "What else would you be doing? Your friend is hurt and so is one of those....lizard things. I don't think you would be going anywhere anyway."
Lucian glanced over his shoulder.
"Were those men that I fought coming after you?"
Some of what Lucian said probably was a little rude, but he didn't know that. He didn't understand how people and emotions worked.
Shioko sneezed in amusement at Athran's assessment of the man.
Definitely an idiot, he thought.
He curled around Taiyou and the stone more. He used his nuzzle to adjust his rider's posture, so that she would sleep more comfortably on her back.
Rash child, he thought. Athran's bravado reminded the dragon of her.
Always trying to be the hero.
Shioko glared at Lucian with keen, black eyes, gnarling his teeth.
Dragon, he grumbled at the man. Did that man live in a cave? How did one travel around Adela and not know of dragons? The dragon took a step forward. Those had been thrones on his side, nothing more.
It would be in your interest to not anger him further, Shioko told Lucian with some amusement at the knight's hot temper.
Athran's hand slashed with the knife. The knight was just playing with his weapon, ocasionally glancing at Lucian with the corner of his glinting eyes. "I don't know what they were going after. You killed them before I got a chance to ask... And dead men tell no tales." he growled, with a strong hint of sarcasm in his melodic, but cold voice.
Maigrod emitted the strange laughing sound once again. Athran was at the end with his patience, that was pretty obvious, and his snarky, sarcastic side was beginning to show. However, even he was a bit annoyed at the man's indecisiveness and little knowledge about the world. Even a child would recognize a dragon if it saw one!
Athran turned his head to Lucian once again, pointing the knife at his throat. "Now tell me what you want, why are you here, or at least who you are, otherwise you can run, before," His fingers moved the blade in a slashing motion, "you'll end up badly."
"The last five men who tried to make me end up badly are dead," Lucian informed him. "As for my purpose....I suppose my purpose is to learn. I know almost nothing of this world, or even myself. All I have is my name, Lucian. Everything else is a mystery to me, including dragons."
Lucian was not at all intimidated by Athran's threats. He had just killed five armed men alone and without being armed himself. He felt pretty confident in his abilities. Then again, Lucian saw what Athran had done to that bizarre flaming creature from before.
Athran slipped the knife back into its sheath. "I think that suffices for answers. Your name, and the fact that you honestly don't know what you're doing here." he replied, and Maigrod growled in agreement. This man wasn't lying - he knew when someone is trying to fool him.
"Now, what would you want off us? One doesn't simply come to someone's encampment without having a single idea why and then stays to hold a conversation, or does he?" he questioned him.
I think you should take care of Taiyou instead of standing here and showing off, Athran. Maigrod growled.
Don't tell me what to do. Shioko is near her, no reason to be worried. the elf replied with confidence, so usual for him.
I'm only concerned. I know what I fool you are.
And you're a big lizard. Don't you think I know a bit more of humans than you, Maigrod?
You don't pay attention to them, anyway. No, I don't think you know more. The dragon appeared almost annoyed by Athran's crazy behavior. What did he think he's doing?
"The whole time I've been wandering I have never had a single idea why. I haven't even a single idea why I'm even in this world, or what I even am. I don't care where they come from anymore, I just need answers. There has to be more to me than just a name."
It sounded an awful lot like Lucian was trying to garner sympathy, but he didn't know how that worked either. He was just saying how he felt.
Shioko gazed at lucian with thoughtful eyes. He yawned.
Why does the lost one want answers from us, he asked Lucian.
The Lost one should make his own answers, he Said.
Lucian reeked of blood. He was attacked, as he claimed, but their number had been enough to easily overwhelm and slay a skilled knight.
The lost one doesnt sem to be lost with a sword in hand, he pointed out to Athran..
Athran rolled his eyes over. "Don't pull this sorrowful tear-draining show at me, please. If you need to warm yourself by the fire, stay for a while, but I don't have anything to offer. No food, no shelter, nothing." He had only enough for himself and Taiyou...
Maigrod, could you go and hunt us something? I'm hungry. he asked Maigrod, and shortly glanced at Taiyou and Shioko. And bring some for those two, too. After a fight like that, they must have been tired.
Deers, boars, and the usual? Maigrod wondered, outstretching his wings and preparing to take off. Athran nodded. Just the same as always.
"But don't touch my bags, the girl, the other dragon, or me." he reminded Lucian, and his eyes glinted with a hard, cold flame.
"Hoe there! I mean no harm!" A voice called out heavy with accent. "i only wish to come and sit by the fire..." As the voice called out a figure appeared which owned the heavily accented voice. As it came into view the group could see it was a man. He was carrying a large bag over his shoulder. He was wearing a thick trench coat a crimson red, with a black fur around the top, he also was blonde and carried a wooden shield on his back. But that was all they could tell at that point.
"Am i warranted to come and sit?" The man called out a distance from the camp. He was trying to portray no threat to them obviously not having any of his weapons drawn, only thing that was off was a thin fog barely reaching up to his foot followed the man, and the sounds of a animal companion beyond their sight. As he waited the man lifted his arms and walked a bit closer to the camp so they could see him a little better. As he stepped closer it was easier to see him now although he had no weapons in his hands he was not defenseless. Carrying two swords, an array of knives, bow with a quiver of arrows, and also wore chain mail and a pair of bracers, as well as the shield on his back.
"If people could simply make their own answers, then questions wouldn't need to exist," Lucian replied to the dragon.
Lucian decided to take Athran up on his offer and sit by the fire. His only instructions were to not touch anything. That was simple enough. He simply stared into the fire, watching the sticks and branches being consumed by the flames. His staring contest was interrupted by a man calling out and coming forth from the forest. Lucian stood and turned toward the newcomer. He wasn't as large and his skin wasn't as dark as Lucian's. His ears were also round instead of pointed. He must be a human, but one could never be sure.
Athran smacked his head. So many visitors... There was no reason to refuse, but this company was getting large, and a tad overwhelming. "Yes. Don't touch my bags, don't touch the fire, the girl, or the dragon, and don't touch me." he warned the second newcomer, and himself sat down underneath one of the trees, afar from the fire.
He wasn't in the mood for people, staring at him. In fact, he was more in the mood to sleep... It was almost dawn. He coiled up on the ground, and before he realized it, he was already asleep.
The man looked at the odd company the ones who were human were quite a bit shorter then he was, except the others that is. As the man scanned the group he saw the dragon looking sternly at him he sat by the fire stretching out his hands warming them on the fire. The hooded looked off into the distance, as he looked outward he heard the beast calling out to him. "...Calm down i will be fine." He said in a low voice to the beast. Looking back to the group raising his shoulders. "My companion, worries to much. But he is shy."
So what is this group looking for? Or where do yee travel?" The man asked trying to make friendlly conversation.
If Shioko was human and any less polite, he would have groaned. Or maybe laughed. The elf had fallen straight to sleep, his rider was unconscious, and he was stuck in the company of two stray cats and two stray lost humans.
He ignored the human's inquiry and instead kept his head up to look down at the humans and keep watch over the camp. Hopefully his presence would be enough to keep them and the cats out of trouble. He could trust Maigrod, but not these two leggers to do anything foolish.
Athran awoke shortly before the dawn at Maigrod's loud roaring. He opened his eyes, and could see how the dragon landed between the trees, clutching a couple of young bucks in his claws. His fangs were covered in the blood of the beasts, it was dripping off their sharp tips, and there were huge holes in the animals' necks, apparently after his sickle-like claws.
Athran. I brought you breakfast! he roared, dropping his catch down. The elf smiled a little, yawning. He haven't gotten much sleep, but it was sufficient. Wonderful. Now help me with them... We have to skin them. he reminded the dragon, and sat up.
Taiyou appeared to be still asleep, but Shioko was awake. Maigrod greeted him with a low growl. Greetings, young one. We shall feast now!
Lucian awoke to the sound of beating dragon wings. He didn't remember falling asleep, but that wasn't unusual. He walked over and looked at the deer.
"What are these?"
Food. Help Athran skin them and you'll get some of it. Maigrod growled at the man, biting off the heads of the animals. The elf got to work in the meantime, carefully cutting the hide of one of the animals off. They were well fed and strong, with a lot of meat on their bones...
He handed a knife to Lucian. "Can you skin a deer?" he asked, his hands still working with Maigrod's catch. Hopefully he knew how to do it, since there was a lot of work with a big beast like that, not only skinning, and he wasn't willing to do it all alone.
Lucian took the knife and looked at the deer inquisitively.
"Skin?"
Lucian looked between the knife and the deer. Skin? The deer already had skin. Was he supposed to cut the skin off? He had never hunted before. The only food he ever got was wild fruits and berries and handouts from nice strangers. He didn't know how to actually prepare food beyond the fact that it sometimes had to be cooked first.
Athran smacked his head. This man obviously had no idea how to prepare a deer. He grabbed the knife, and one by one, prepared both deers. Maigrod watched as he cut their skins off, removed their guts, and cut the meat into pieces. He ate one pile of bloody remains, leaving only the skin, but left the other one for Shioko, if the young dragon would be hungry.
The pieces of meat were ready, but instead of roasting them above the kindling flames, Athran simply put them onto the stones. Maigrod's fire covered them in the auburn flames, blazing in the dusky dawn, while Athran flipped them over once one side was done.
They were a tad burned... Athran sighed. He wasn't a cook and he was aware of it, but why did he always burn everything he tried to cook?
Lucian watched closely as Athran prepared the deer, absorbing every detail. He then watched as he cooked it. This would be good to know in case he ever needed food or was he was asked for assistance again later.
Shioko greeted Maigrod with a low growl, the dragon equivalent of purring. He was ravished, and the deer smelled amazing.
Many thanks, he told Maigrod.
He moved slow and careful so as not to disturb his sleeping rider, edging towards the other dragon. He waited patiently to be offered food. It was Maigrod's hunt, and his to choose who had a turn at what.
Taiyou's dreams were full of whispers and of strange worlds.
Wake up, storm-bird, a voice called to her.
Taiyou cried out as she cringed, slowly coming back into conscious. Her head felt split down the middle, and her side ached and hurt.
Venison? she thought, sniffing the air. Well, that was odd. Dragons didn't cook.
"Shio," she said hoarsely as she woke up.
The girl's eyes widened at the sight of the two new men at the camp. She squeaked, her mouth clamped shut. Taiyou felt the heat rising to her cheeks.
You're clothed, Shioko reminded her.
Not the way I like, Taiyou protested, wrinkling her nose.
An arm's reach away laid her staff and the stone. Taiyou grimaced as she sat up. It hurt entirely too much. The dragon moved back towards her and sat down. Taiyou grunted as she picked up the warm stone and threw it in the saddle bag. She rummaged for a fresh tunic and pulled out a black one by a wrinkled sleeve. The girl grinned. Much better. She removed the rags of her old one and pulled the new one over her head.
Her head turned towards the men. The version smelled delicious.. if not a little burnt.
"Good morning, Athran, Maigrod," she said in a cheerful manner. Her voice was still weak, but even now the strength was returning to it.
"Hello," she greeted Lucian and the other stranger.
Who are they? she asked Shioko.
Stragglers from the woods, the dragon responded. That one killed our enemies.
Really? asked Taiyou, surprised. Why?
He was lost.
Taiyou arched a brow but said nothing.
Athran grabbed one half-burned, half-raw venison, and when he noticed that Taiyou was awake, he was already in the middle of the process of eating it. He looked up at the girl, ignoring the poorly-looking state he was in - scruffy hair all around his head, burned remains of clothes, hanging around weapons, fastened to his body, and dark rings under his eyes in his pale face - and greeted her.
"Good morning." he muttered, and tossed her a steak. "Eat while there's any food left." He stared at his own steak, watched by Maigrod, who begun eating the part of the second pile of guts, of which he gave the larger deal to Shioko, just as well. The black dragon growled softly at the two.
Good morning, young ones. It's good to see you're doing well. You should eat. Maigrod wagged his head at the steaks. They are half burned and the other half is still a bit raw, but you must excuse Athran. He can't cook.
Hjaldi looked up looking into the air as he awoke smelling the air and smelling the deer venison. "By the gods that smells amazing!" Hjaldi sat up hair a mess with grass and a twig entangled in it. Hjaldi had obviously been running through he forest and not cared about taking them from his hair, until now that is. Reaching up and picking the pieces of grass and the twig from his hair. "Well then i should go hunt for myself i assume..." Hjaldi stood up stretching as he walked over to his Pack retrieving his bow Hjaldi whispered a few words as he strung the bow he looked over to the dragon.
A magnificent beast truly a thing of legend, Hjaldi had seen dragons before in his homeland Fjeltland and yet he still was amazed at them and how they would carry themselves and even speak, as though they were born noble and royal. "Do you have a name dragon?" Hjaldi inclined his head as a sign of respect. As he did he noticed that there was also a elf among the company. Hjaldi was no mere human himself, His mother being half frost giant meant he was a quarter frost giant and he did show it he was vastly taller then any average human as well as he had a paler skin even slightly blue tinted skin color in certain light.
As he raised his head he looked around "Where would the beasts be that i could hunt?" Hjaldi looked around as he threw his quiver over his shoulder and started towards the edge of the camp but not going further then that.
"That's Maigrod." Athran answered instead of the dragon, knowing that he's too busy eating. "And there are beasts all around the woods and mountains around. You can have one of these," he waved his steak in the air, "if you want, though. I'm not going to eat them all, anyway."
Maigrod growled with satisfaction at Hjaldi's admiring look, and spread his wings a little to show himself in his full glory, his black scales glinting in the rosy sunlight of the dawn. He was an imposing dragon, big and strong, and resembled his rider in many aspects - they had the same kind of rough and hard, but majestic charm to themselves.
They both continued eating, not paying more attention than necessary.
Ah well it is my pleasure as i have never met one such as these... Most dragons in my home land are either mad or solitary beasts..." Hjaldi looked as the other beast stretched his wings. Hjaldi chuckled. Dragons they were such proud creatures. Hjaldi looked again onward into the forest unstringing his bow and taking a piece of meat. "Gratitude for the meal." Hjaldi took a piece of the meat then thinking again of the night before Hjaldi repeated his unanswered question. "So what is this groups' quest?" Hjaldi was curious and wanted to know and maybe even join them.
taiyou reached for the meat and grabbed it with her hands.
"Hot, hot," she hissed to herself as she fumbled with it.
She turned the piece over in her hands.
"Thanks, " Taiyou said with a bit of a chuckle.
She nodded at Maigrod's words and ate from the charred side first.
Shioko happily ate from the pile Maigrod gave him and every so often licked the blood from his jaws. Taiyou listened to Athran talk with Hjaldi carefully.
"This one's name is Shioko," she piped up. "Our quest's our own. This wasn't planned."
She smiled sheepishly.
"We crashed our host's camp, so to speak."
Athran nodded. "Everyone just came in... And... Surprised me here." he shrugged. "Nothing was planned. I was traveling alone."
He finished his venison and wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, straightening his legs on the ground. Maigrod came closer to him, leaving just the hide behind, and covered the elf's back with one of his wide wings. Now this is what I call breakfast.
Athran chuckled. Liked your deer guts?
Nothing better than a fresh, bloody meal. the dragon replied, growling playfully.
"Have you slept well, Taiyou, Shioko?" Athran asked the young rider and her dragon, staring at the burned remains of his leather armour. He decided that it would be best to change into the other shirt that was still in his bag, and unbuckled the reins that held various pieces of armour on his body. Finally, he managed to change into the less destroyed armour, although he appeared quite bizarre without his coat and cape, revealing the countless weapons, fastened to his chest and sides, along with big pieces of metal armour.
"Ah these can seemingly be the best of groups when they gather for no reason and gather in a quest together!" Hjaldi looked at everyone again seemingly studying them trying to judge there strengths ans weaknesses. Not to attack but if he would be joining them in a group he would like to know what he could expect from them. There was a dragon rider, an elf, a couple humans, and also another dragon although he was not sure if it had a rider. As he overlooked the group he saw Athran's armor and how it had been damaged. Hjaldi began to eat at his meat again with a mouth half full of meat Hjaldi motioned to the armor. "Is there a forge nearby here? Or could a dragon go and fetch a anvil? i could easily repair that armor for you." Hjaldi knew his skill as a blacksmith... his father taught him well and he had never stopped refining his skill, it kept his father close to him.
Athran shook his head. "We're amid the mountains. There's no forge or smithy in miles around... And thanks for your help, but beside being a knight, a dragon rider and a swordsman, I am also a smith myself." he replied calmly.
He learned to work as a smith while he was still young, and found an unusual talent for forging metals, later forging all his own weapons, and his most prized possession, the Black Sword. The couple of sleek scimitars on his back, the daggers, hunting knives, thin blades, and all other weaponry was all of his own make, bearing the ornaments and carvings typical for his craft. It was different with armour, which he could craft and repair well, too, but preferred to buy, and then fit for himself.
Lucian remained silent as he listened in on the conversation around him. He hadn't noticed the girl before. She was a mess. When it came time to eat, Lucian just grabbed one of the pieces of venison right from the fire with his bare hand without burning, but he didn't think much of it. The meal didn't last long for someone of his size, but he was used to eating very little or nothing at all. He decided to simply remain silent and go with the flow.
Ooc: lucian saw the lightning and shioko has a saddle and moved away from her... how had he not notice lol
Ic:
"Whats a smith doing all the way out here?" Taiyou asked.
She wiped the greese ans blood off on her tunic before undoing her long and tangled braid. She Blushed rememberinf her manners.
"My Names taiyou," She said with a nod.
"Dragonrider, mage... camp crasher."
"I forge weapons milady..." Hjaldi pulled a knife out showing it to her. "And i am not only a smithy i am also a sell sword. and hunter" Hjladi stood up formally. "My name is Hjaldi Wrothgarson, the ambassador of the Wolves, the Knight of the mountain, and the civilized beast." Hjaldi bowed to the young woman dragon rider, and then her dragon also. "I am honored to meet you as well." Hjaldi was noble in a way but had a look and being that he was also a barbarian and savage.
"Not even a small farm around here? hmm shame i was hoping to put a hammer to metal and forge something, in that mood as a fellow smithy i know you know my feeling." Hjaldi smiled and sat down shoving another piece of meat in his mouth. Chewing for a second then swallowing. Looking to the dragon rider he saw the numerous weapons equipped to the elf. "You are quite well armed... May i?" Hjaldi pointed to the black metal blade a curious thing a color of metal so rarely seen in Fjeltland. Hjaldi was wanting to see it and possible attempt to determine the make of the blade so he could forge a type of his own. "I too have forged my own weapons all but these... These were my fathers." Hjaldi held up his two blades that he used the most two one handed swords slightly longer then average short swords. Runes inscribed onto the blade. Brown leather handles and a golden brass hilt and pommel.
"But i forged the rest and even the bow is of my own make" Hjaldi looked back to it smiling placing the two swords back into their sheaths. "Also ... if i may ask dragon scales are unique as you probably ell know... would i be able to barter some scales from either you dragons?..." Hjaldi knew the gravity of his question but he knew if he could have a couple scales he could use them with his forge and make a blade or refine any of his to a deadly weapon into something... something else...
"Athran Daineth, the Black Sword, Deathstorm, Death of Demons... I have many names. And my full name is long." Athran replied, smirking, but it was a bleak grimace, and in all his majestic height and fair appearance, he still looked tired.
At Hjaldi's question, his hand sled to the hilt of the Black Sword defensively. "No. I am sorry, but no other hand than mine shall hold this weapon." he replied coldly, and drew the black blade from its sheath, revealing its elegant shape and the beautiful ornaments, carved into the dark metal. "Look at it in my hands, if you are interested, but no more."
When the man asked about dragon scales, both Maigrod and his rider pierced him with ice-cold glances of their bright eyes. My scales are not coins... They are not for sale. the dragon's voice echoed in the small encampment, deep and roaring. Athran nodded. "Hardly any dragon would ever exchange his scales for something. Even though Maigrod gave me a few of his for my armour." He pointed at the dark, slightly spiked shoulderguards, made of several black scales, overlapping with each other. "But I'm his rider."
Taiyou blushed at the formal introduction and nodded.
"We Are honored to meet you," she said.
Being called lady made her feel uncomfortable.
Though Taiyous state was fragile, she sat up stiffly at the request for dragon scales. Dragon and rider alike stared coldly at Hjaldi. She wasnt about to hand overr her weapons either, especially her wooden staff. Thankfully, Athran made the situation clear about the dragon scales.
Such A bold request, Shioko told her. Be wary.
"Im sorry," Taiyou said. "Though your weapons are beautiful."
She squinteD at the writing on the blade.
Protection Runes? She Wondered.
Shioko Sneezed, unimpressed by the swords.
Pretty sticks is all, he said.
Taiyou giggled.
Looking over the blade Hjaldi moved in close but made no attempt or look as if he were to touch it. "A pretty blade i can tell there is more to it then it's ... thin elegance... a bit too dainty for my preference, although i would use a blade like it if need be." Hjaldi was a master at all weapon types though he preferred his duel swords his true skill was in other weapons he would save for dire moments of need or rage. "This pretty little sticks have names.. though not their own... and no they are not protection rather combat spells. Clan spells handed down through the lin... handed down to me..." Hjaldi lifted his hand and stabbing them into the ground the two blades made a sickeningsmack into the ground and placing his hands over them Hjaldi began to speak in his native tongue. Speaking in his thick accent and quietly blue flames jumped forth on his hands to the blades lighting up the runes more clearly. "There you may be able to see them better milady." Hjaldi looked at her obviously being uncomfortable at the mention of her being honored. Looking to the black proud dragon. "And no these are not protection Runes they are names ... Names of the dragon my father killed." Hjaldi pointed to one set of runes scripted on the first blade. Then moving his hand over the other sword to a set of runes much longer then the first sword. "And the dragon i killed. there names mean ... how to say this in your tongue. mountain melter and nightmares beating winged fang. In are land dragons are mad and evil and breed like rabbits So we must defend ourselves with them but there are some who fight the madness though those dragons live solitary lives. So it is a honor to speak with some of you." Hjaldi looked casually not worried at the mention he had killed a dragon before
Hjaldi laughed at the rider's he knew they would say no and he knew the dragon's would be some what insulted by the situation. It was more of a question to measure the trust he could put in the group and also proved the wealth of a dragon scale item. Hjaldi wanted the scales to forge into a great weapon he would get hem eventually either by killing another dragon or as a gift from a dragon kin.
Hjaldi stood up stretching finally showing his immensity over seven feet tall in all his imposing height and brawn Hjaldi was obviously not a human. Hjaldi was a half giant. A frost giant was his grand father on his mother's side, and he took to those gene's directly Hjaldi's skin was more pale then most Fjeltics and even would be blue in certain light. and his blonde hair had a silver tint to it. Hjaldi flexed and pushing out his hands flames again spouted up a bit and ceased as if it were a yawn at the same time a bit of steam slipped out between his fingers. Hjaldi smiled. "I need practice... You there, would you like to give these Sticks a whirl?" Hjaldi smiled at the comment that he caught from Shioko. Hjaldi would show that these blades were not to be underestimated in his hands. And if need be he would show them more weapons he had forged in his forge.
Athran listened carefully, but didn't even give anyone else time to reply when Hjaldi mentioned the swords. "Nice weapons... I'd like to try them out against this." he said, and unsheathed the Black Sword in its full imposing length of over a meter.
Even though his body was thin and lean, he had twice the strength of a man, and was far faster than any human. The blade in his hands slowly begun moving in a complicated pattern, and he produced a wide grin. Underestimating an elf was a mistake many of his foes made - and even in a playful spar, it could decide about the victor.
"Shall we?" he asked.
((OOC: oh hell yeah i feel this gonna be fun.))
Hjaldi looked down at the elf. "As you wish, shall this be a duel of skill and magic or just technique?" Hjaldi wanted to make sure that in a duel he acted honorably and without confusion to the type of duel. Hjaldi walked over to his pack and began to equip his armor as he did Hjaldi first removed his outer clothing. As he did his acts revealed many scars over his body from whips weapons and other various weapons. First ordaining his chain mail on Hjaldi had made it custom from a rare metal that was lighter and still as durable as any armor. Hjaldi then placed bracer's gauntlets and his boots on which on the bottom Athran could see small cleats. more proof Hjaldi was native to a land of ice. Hjaldi then re clothed himself with his usual clothes and red leather trench coat. Hjaldi looked over at the meter long blade as it moved it almost seemed to liquefy in the air. a simple trick of the eye Hjaldi knew well.
Hjaldi walked out of the camp as he did his foot steps sent small thuds through the ground, with each step sending quakes through the world of insects and smaller creatures. "It has been a long time since i have sparred with an Servant of Beruin. It would be a honor and i would enjoy a real challenge such as no human can match." Hjaldi ws no stranger to the elf race in his homeland they worshiped the same god as His clan did, Beruin the god of the forest, summer, beasts and the hunt. And in celebrations he would often face an array of elves in a tournament or for fun after a night of drinking mead. Hjaldi found it amusing to fight a person of such opposite body stature. Hjaldi always thought it amusing watching his grandfather fight in the tournament having a frost giant imposing and gigantic fight such a limber elf having strength and agility face off together. Hjaldi had to laugh at the memory of his grandfather loosing many times to a small elf bounding around his legs. "I truly look forward to this and no matter the outcome i hope we shall leave as companions and friends as we have entered." Hjaldi loved to fight and held no true insult during a fight. "Well i await you young elf master. Bring your blade and let our metal sing a song that shall be heard over the hills, sending it through the forest for all creatures to hear and also a warning to those who wish us true harm!" Hjaldi spread his legs into a stance bearing down so if the elf were to walk up he would be eye level. Hjaldi's arms open with his swords in each hand both pointing towards the elf like an arrow notched in it's bow ready to fire forth with deadly accuracy.
Athran fastened his own badly damaged armour over the black shirt while he watched Hjaldi preparing himself. "No magic. Only swords and our own skill." he replied silently. The armour clinked softly as his hands buckled the numerous reins over the chainmail and plates of leather. It should work for the while. He'll worry with repairs another time.
His gauntlets thudded silently as he clashed his hands together, and the sword returned to his hands. The terrain offered him an advantage - rocks and trees were just more places to jump on and leap from. He laughed when Hjaldi called him young, though. "Young? I'm not young at all... Five hundreds and a half...." he said, tilting his head aside, and smirked.
He gripped the handle of the Black Sword, and prepared it, raising his hands to his head, with the blade just above his shoulder.
"As you wish elf lord, and also you age very well. As do I..." Hjaldi also was much older then he looked as he looked he noticed the damaged armor and how it clinked and made small noises enough that he may be able to hear it in battle. Hjaldi being a half Giant had heightened senses and also having a family gift from the god Beruin his senses were tuned to a primal state. Hjaldi looked around trees and rocks as well as small hills he would be at a slight disadvantage his size would be hard enough trying to watch a small creature. But a elf was quicker and in the forest he knew he would use the trees and jump around he would go defensive and wait for an opening.
Hjaldi knew battles he was a true war fiend living on the edge of battle and even turning profit out of it and becoming a sell sword. Hjaldi lets his blades waver a little as if to give them a feel through the air. "I may need to switch my weapons up a bit. Ha! It is too late! they will do." Hjaldi looked off to the edge of his eyes almost into a world beyond. "Beruin! give me your strength i still say your name even though these are not your forests!" Hjaldi bowed his head and then looking up. his eyes were different they were cold ready for battle as though they were cold and needed warm blood to bring life back into them. "At your bidding dragon rider..." Hjaldi was not going to make the first move he wanted to see what he was against.
Lucian did not want to get caught up in the duel, so he wordlessly got up and moved to the opposite side of the camp, closer to Taiyou. He felt much safer over here. Lucian also felt very out of place. He was no warrior, yet he was surrounded by them. Sure he had killed those men in the woods, but it was self-defense. He had never killed in anger. He just sat and watched the two warriors as they prepared to fight. Maybe he could learn something.