RPG The Dragon Riders of Celebrynn [M - LSV]

[Redemption]

[COLOR=Purple]Brielle looked up at Heero.
" Oh. It's nothing really. Just something I saw while going down to the dungeon," she replied.
" It wasn't a skeleton walking around was it?" Heero boldly joked. Brielle laughed suddenly.
" No. Just something the spirits of old told me. A vision I suppose you could call it. I'm just worried about Ilthazar's next move. Perhaps.... no that's too risky," Brielle said with a side glance out the window towards the Ilthazar's kingdom.
" Care to explain?" Heero asked, not liking where this conversation was going.
" Well I was thinking of sending a party of people into Ilthazar's castle. But it would be sending them to their death. I don't want that...but unfortunately, Ilthazar has something we are going to need."
" And what's that?"
" The legendary Weapons."
" What?!? Ilthazar has them, all of them. But he doesn't know how to use them.. According to legend, the fabled Legendary Riders are the only ones who can wield these weapons and can harness the true power of our dragon's elements."
" So, with these weapons, we'll be able to defeat Ilthazar?"
" Yes."
" Hmm...it is risky."
" Yes," Brielle said finally, but then looked at Heero and smiled, " We shouldn't be talking about this." She looked around the room and spied Vanilla in the corner with the commander of the defence force. Brielle knew he was the fire elemental dragon rider. She giggled.
" What's so funny?" Heero asked, hoping he hadn't done anything to embarass himself.
" Look over in the corner..." Heero looked. " Vanilla is on a date with the commander of the defence force. He's the fire elemental."
Heero sniggered.

As soon as they turned back to face each other, their food was on the table. Brielle sipped some of her red wine and started on the delicious food in front of her. Seeing Breille dig in, Heero proceeded to eat the scrumptuous food.

About two hours later, it was late and Brielle began to yawn. Heero noticed her eyes grow sleepy, half because of exhaustion from the battle that day and half because of the wine.
" I think I'd better get you to bed," Heero said kindly, going red at the thought of Brielle in bed.
" Mmmm...." was all Brielle's reply. Heero moved around to her chair, moved it out and took her back to the palace. He left Brielle at her room, making sure she was alright to go to bed and made his way to his own room.
" The Legednary Riders....does that mean us?"[/COLOR]

[Heero Darkangel]

Heero lay in his bed with Cyrus alying next to him curled up on the floor

'Somethings bothering you...did your date go well?' questioned Cyrus as he lifted his head

'Yes it did...but Brielle told me something,' spoke Heero and he explained it to Cyrus

'So does this mean your all ment to be the legednary Rider's?' questioned Cyrus

'I don't know...but if we are then we must get those weapons off Ilthazar...it's the only way we can stop this madness,' spoke Heero as he rolled over turning his back to the door and looking at Cyrus

'It's going to be a big mission,' said Cyrus

'She also had a vision that some of us would die,' said Heero looking at Cyrus

'Did she see who?' questioned Cyrus

'No..she didn't go into details...all she said was that she'd be sending them to the grave,' spoke Heero as he looked up at the moon that shone through his window casting an eerie glow around the room and slowly he drifted off to sleep

[GuyYouMetOnline]

Valo's head was still hurting a little. He had been angry that Zeddrick had again managed to escape, but there wasn't anything he could have done that time to prevent it. After retrieving his second pole, he and Angelus had returned the castle.

When Valo heard Heero talking with Cyrus, he walked over to them. "Collecting the weapons isn't the whole battle," he said. "Ilthazar has to be killed. This may sound crazy, but getting the weapons is the easy part. Simple in and out. I even know where they're kept. But killing Ilthazar will be different. There are a [i]lot[/i] of soldiers in that castle. Quite a few skilled mages, as well. And the dragons can only help us get into the castle. The hard part is just us.

"Now, I'm pretty sure I can come up with a way to get the weapons, and one to kill Ilthazar. But not right now. I have to leave soon if I'm to intercept Branit. If anyone wants to go with me, then that's fine. Just follow my instructions. This has to be done a certain way for full effect. I'm leaving in, say, ten minutes."

-----------------------------------------------------------

OOC: If anyone wants to go with Valo, just say so.

[naota]

Lionel was thinking,and thought a staff was more of his type of weapon.Something told him he should use a staff.Lionel to his one handed sythes and put them away on his belt and started carrying around his staff again.Lionel walked inside the castle and over heard what Valo and Heero were talking about.Lionel and Styx sprinted over to the spot .

"I'll come with you" said Lionel calmly

Lionel then started stretching and scratched his back as he waited for a reply.

"Fine,but follow my rules...I will leave in 9 minutes"said Valo

"Gotcha"said Lionel calmly

Lionel then sprinted out side to the garden to start practicing his techniques,and magic so he can be ready.But what he really focused on was stealth and stealth attacks since it might come in handy.Lionel was still familiar with using his staff though but he just wanted to be in full power when he uses it so he wants to get alittle training first.

"Styx,keep track of time for me"said Lionel calmly

Styx gave Lionel a nod with his eyes closed and sat up straight and started to stretch his wings.Then Lionel started trying to get alittle stealth techniques in his 9 minutes left so he can be more usefull.

[Heero Darkangel]

Heero looked at Valo seriously

'Ok then i'll go with you,' he said as he folded his arms, he needed to clear his mind for a while after he dreamn't of Brielle all night, although he didn't mind dreaming of her...it brought I slight smile to his face as her face passed through his mind

'Ok good, we leave in eight minutes, just be ready,' said Valo seriously looking at Heero who raised an eye brow at him

'Don't worry, I will,' said Heero as he stood up and walked out to the garden where he saw Lionel practising, he walked passed Lionel and sat under a tree as the sun slowly rose, His blue eyes glistened in the sun as he looked around...all he could do was think of Brielle and how beautiful she was and what she told him lastnight at the tavern

[GuyYouMetOnline]

Valo found packs and gathered supplies. They wouldn't be back for a coule days, and there wasn't time to stop and eat durring the journey. If they didn't intercept Branit as he was leaving, it'd be nearly impossible to find him. They'd have to stumble across his trail, and that would take incredible luck. As it was, they would make it on time, but not by much.

They had a very small margin of error, and Valo wasn't going to let them waste it on buying food. They wouldn't even stop to eat. They'd eat on dragonback. The dragons wouldn't pose any kind of a problem. Dragons could go for a long time without a meal.

Valo walked back outside with the three packs he'd put together. He gave one to Lionel and one to Heero. He kept the third for himself. "There's enough water and food in these packs for three days," he told them. "We're not going to stop at all from departure to arrival, not even for food. We'll eat on dragonback. The dragons should be fine. We'll reach our destination at about dinnertime tomorrow. After he has dinner, Branit will depart. We'll track, ambush, and interrogate him. When we're done with him, we'll come back here. time won't be as constraining then, but we'll want to move as fast as we can. We'll have probably about a week before Ilthazar learns that something happened. We'll need to strike before then.

We'll have to travel overnight to get there in time, but, as with the food, the dragons shouldn't have any trouble doing that. I can go for a couple nights without sleep. I've done it before. You two can sleep on dragonback if you need to. I've done that, too. Don't worry about falling off. Somehow, you'll stay on. I don't know how or why it works, but it does. You won't fall off."

He turns to all of the others. "Last chance to come. We leave now."

[Gelgoog Pilot]

Zeddrick again looked down at the piece of paper in his hand. [I]I can't believe this...I hurt like hell yet he makes me go on this mission he claims is terriblly inportant. Seems more like baby-sitting to me.[/I]
"Ragnrok...are you ready to fight if it comes to it?"

[You know well enough I'll fight as long as you do Zeddy]

"Good, because my side still hurts like a bastard and you'll have to do most of the fighting this time."

[Are you so sure there will be conflict?]

"Yes, the King himself stated that information had leeked of his trip out of the castle. No doubt that same spy, he issued this order to protect him to the gates of the castle. That is what we'll do. It will be difficult, no assistance is coming for us until we near the castle."

[You know me Zeddy I love a cahllenge]

The duo waited the rest of the night silently in the grove outside a small cottage. There one of the lead researchers, Brandit, slept in his bed.

[GuyYouMetOnline]

OOC: You do realize you just set Zeddrick and Ragnrock up for an ass-kicking and a probable capture, right? They'll be up against three riders and dragons. I don't think they can win.

----------------------------------------

Valo wasn't exaggerating. They weren't stopping for anything at all. It was very late, nearing midnight. The dragons, as Valo had said, were showing no signs of tiring. Lionel and Heero, however, were quite obviously tired. It was hard to sleep well on dragonback. Lionel was asleep for the moment, and Heero looked like he was about to doze off yet again. It would be his third time.

[i]We'll have to be quick,[/i] Valo thought. [i]We can't let anyone get away. It's good that the other two have decided to come. They can clean up the escort while I interrogate Branit. Hopefully there won't be any dragons in the escort group, but even if there are, Ilthazar only has the one elemental rider, Zeddrick. No, dragons won't be too much of a problem. They only thing with them is that they're fast. They could reach Ilthazar's castle in a single day and night. Any dragons wil have to die first, followed by those on the ground. Then I interrogate Branit, and finally, we clean things up.[/i]

[Redemption]

[COLOR=Purple]OOC: Gelgoog Pilot, our meeting is soon. Takuya, something might surprise you. ;)

Brielle awoke to the sunlight in her eyes. Scythe was curled around her bed in a peaceful sleep. She yawned, got out of bed and dressed herself in her riding clothes. Waking up Scythe, the duo walked out of the room and to the Great Hall where most of the Elemental Riders were. Sunlight hit her body, warming it significantly. Valo was talking about a mission to get the Legendary Weapons. This puzzled her. How did he find out? Immediately, she turned to Heero with a look of wrath upon her face. She saw that pack on his back, obviously he had decided to go on the mission. Apparently he decided not to tell her after the enjoyable night they spent together. Her eyes narrowed. She didn’t like to be left out in the dark.
“ Last chance,” Valo said, looking at the others. Brielle stepped up.
“ We are staying here just in case anything happens,” she said a little crossly. Vanilla stared at her and Heero jumped at the sharpness of her voice. Her eyes were bare slits. Lionel backed away from her a little. Heero went to approach her when she turned on her heel and left the presence of the group, fuming.

“ Scythe, we are going to follow them,” Brielle said to her faithful friend after watching Heero, Lionel and Valo leave for Ilthazar’s castle. Her dragon looked at her, seeing the raging inferno inside of her eyes.
“ Wizard’s Third Rule, passion rules reason,” he sighed.
“ Don’t preach to me Scythe. I know the rules,” she spat back, hopping into the saddle. He again sighed and flew up into the sky, following the three on the dangerous mission.

The sky darkened around them. Brielle and Scythe watched Lionel, Heero and Valo eat on dragonback. Brielle’s stomach growled.
“ Hungry?” Scythe asked.
“ Yes, but it doesn’t matter,” Brielle replied back. Her mood was a little better than before but she was still quite angry with Heero. Suddenly they saw the others dive into the forest below them.
“ Damn. They know we’re here…” Brielle swore.
“ I don’t think so. We’re at the border, aren’t we?”
“ Yes. True. Dive Scythe. From now on, we follow them,” Brielle said then smiled, “ Just like the old days with Kai. Sneaking around the forest, trying not to get caught by the guard when we followed them on their missions. I miss that peace.”
“ Me too. But lets focus,” Scythe said as he dived. The wind rushed up in Brielle’s face as Scythe plummeted to the ground. He landed heavily, trying hard not to disturb anything. Brielle hopped off.
“ Lets go.”
[/COLOR]

[Heero Darkangel]

Heero didn't know what he had done to deserve her harshful gaze, was he ment to tell the others about her vision...he was confused by it all, he didn't realise he had hurt her

As they landed Heero noticed something landing a few feet from them, he slid off the back of Cyrus and without the others watching he took off to where he had heard the thud

Running through the shrubs with his sword drawn he saw Sycthe Wing

'Brielle?' he questioned looking at her, 'What are you doing here?'

Brielle looked at him sharply, Heero frowned and put his sword away, He realised that she was still angry at him

'Brielle I'm sorry if I've hurt you....I didn't meant to tell the others.....,' he said putting his head down from embarrassment, 'I understand.....if...you never want to see me again...please forgive me..I'm sorry for hurting you,'

[GuyYouMetOnline]

"This isn't the time," Valo said, jumping to the ground. [Angelus, recon.]

Valo walked over to Heero and Brielle. "You two are worse than Vanilla. At least she seems to have taken the hint. If you two can't get along, then why the hell are you going out with each other?" A pause, then, "Yes, I know about it. It was obvious from the way you two were looking at each other yesterday. But that doesn't matter right now. This isn't the time to be having this discussion. We have a job to do."

[I've spotted Branit's wagon,] Angelus sent to all of them. [The only escorts are Zeddrick and his dragon.]

Valo was quick to come up with a plan. "Just Zeddrick and the dragon is very strange. My guess is, Ilthazar figured out that my spy would inform me of Branit's location. Zeddrick's here to provide a target. I'm betting on 'trap'. So here's what we do. Brielle, you and Scythe Wing go after Zeddrick and his dragon. I think you can handle him. Just don't go into weapon combat. Stick to powers. Heero, you and your dragon are to go after Branit. Dragon kills horses, then you get to Branit. He needs to be alive and concious. Aside from that, do whatever you must to prevent him from escaping. Lionel, we're going to hang back and watch. When the trap is sprung, we take the trap. Until then, we watch. Brielle against Zeddrick is sure to be quite a show. Now, any objections? If so, make them known. If not, then let's do it."

[Gelgoog Pilot]

((OOC: You insult my intelligence Takuya, I am proud to say that I know battle tactics rather well, don't worry I wouldn't dissapoint you. And besides, who said I was trying to win this one? :smirk: ))

A sudden burts of noises filled the air, horses, they were being killed. Zeddrick sat upright in his saddle preparing to take off.
"Heheheheh, right on time eh Ragnrok?"
[Yes they are very dependable AND persistant.]

The black dragon lifted into the sky, below the lights in Brandit's house were turnt on as he no doubt was making a hurried escape. In a flash a wave of light arced into Zeddrick knocking him off his dragon. He landed on a house top, standing up he drew his blade. Ragnrok was already engaging the life dragon in combat, but he did not see its rider. A solid thud resolved that question as he took his eyes of Ragnrok and looked into the face of Brielle. Her weapon drawn.

"Ah, I see it is the mighty captin of the dragon riders. I'd pay my respects but, I'm a bit busy at the moment." He grinned, knowing how cocky he was sounding.
[I]Just stall her for as long as you can Zeddy. You know well enough you can't compete with her. Not with busted up ribs anyway. [/I]

"Shut up scum, you've killed to many of our bravest men to be allowed any form of insults. I'll be enjoying this fight, beating you like you torture your prisoners, your people, your DRAGONS!"

She lost it as she attacked wildly, full of hot rage. Zeddrick was completely surprised by the power of her emotion as she tore her way towards him. He could only deflect her swings while she continued. Mean while, the concealed troopers sprang from the darkness. All of them expert bowmen, they fired their arrows into the field setting it aflame. Smoke poured into the sky blocking all vision from above. A perfect way to hide Brandit's retreat. They then proceded to fire into the elemental dragons. Their shot hit true as a couple of them belowed with pain, nothing major, but enough to halt there charges. Valo, however pushed his beast of burdden forward and slaughtered the soldiers.

The three riders turned their attention onto Zeddrick and Brielle's fight. It was fierce, alhtough Brielle had Zeddrick on a total defensive, her stamina was running out. Zeddrick made a swift pass at her ankles with his left leg. He knocked her down but was struck by a blow to the chest. She had managed to get it off as she fell. Zeddrick looked into her eyes, his filled with nothing but pain, both for him and for his worried Ragnrok. He started...[I]That face...its, familiar. Why do I know that face? UGHHH! Ragnrok....please...submit...its over.[/I]

The Black dragon heard the thought and landed, her wing badly damaged. Brielle stood up and spat onto her defeated opponent. Valo was preparing to finish off the dragon when Brielle shouted out.
"Don't you DARE, Valo...You have NO right to take his partner like that. He will be on no use to us if we kill it. He'll be an unconcious man for the rest of his life, we need him to tell us information." Valo nodded and stayed his weapons.

As they tied up Zeddrick, one of the riders drug a wounded man next to him.
"We have the man you were trying to escort Zeddrick, seems you failed on all accounts. Your kingdom is finished now."

Zeddrick looked at the man once and began to laugh.
"AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! I didn't think it would work so well!...You fools actually did as I wanted you to! Aside from capturing me that is."

"What do you mean!?" Valo said raising his voice.

"You captured the fake! You should really find out what your target looks like before you pull something like this. Brandit was already hiding in the bushes with the soldiers. Once our smoke screen began we sent both Brandits across the border. You'll NEVER find him now! He'll have reached the first fortress by the time you saddle up and pick up any kind of trail. So? Off the your wonderful dungeon eh? Let's be quick I have alot of sleeping to do." Valo kicked him violently in the ribs, causing Zeddrick to scream out in pain as the set bones where factured anew.

[Heero Darkangel]

Heero looked at the others and smiled

Heero then laughed, 'I grew up in the bush...I'll find him!,' snarled Heero as him and Cyrus took to the skys, they flew as fast as they could above the tree tops, Heero looked down and saw a man on a horse riding swiftly through the trees..it was Branit

'Oh shit!,' exclaimed Branit as his horse reared up and took off,
Branit pushed his horse as fast as he could, But Cyrus caught up to them with ease in an open field, Heero lunged off Cyrus and tackled Branit off his horse, they both hit the ground hard, Heero stood quickly as did Branit but he took off into the thick woods, Heero ran after him.

Cyrus took out his horse, leaving it's remains scattered and torn apart, he then looked around and couldn't find Heero, his heart began to race

'HEERO!,' he roared as he took off up over the tree tops knowing that he couldn't get through the woods, he scanned the woods from above hoping to see a sign of him but he couldn't go to far from the others just incase of a ambush, he then circled above the trees

Heero ran after Branit as fast as he could, because of living in a forest for most of his life and from the teachings of drewell he tracked Branit with ease and caught up to him, they stopped on the bank of a raging river

'You bastard!,' growled Branit as he drew his sword and lunged at Heero, Heero smiled and blocked his attack and then counter attacked, they both fought hard, their swords locked for a moment and they pushed off from each other

'Your coming with me whether you like it or not!,' growled Heero

'Your going to have to kill me first!,' snarled Branit as he looked at Heero coldly, Heero then lunged at him and they went over a series of techniques before locking swords again and then pushing away from each other for the second time and they fought again and again, Heero took a swing and Branit blocked that attack and slashed Heero across the side on his rib cage, Heero gritted his teeth against the pain and smashed Branit in the face with the end of the handle on his sword, Branit stumbled backwards and fell against a tree as he covered his bloodied face, Heero had broken his nose and blood now covered the front of his chest, in anger Branit lunged at Heero who was holding his side, Heero blocked the attack and wacked the sword out of Branits hand, at that moment Branit drew a dagger and thrusted it into Heeros leg, a painful cry escaped Heeros mouth as he dropped to his knees, Branit then kicked Heero in the rib cage several times, Heero began coughing up blood as Branit stood over him laughing

'Did you honestly think you could out do me!,' laughed Branit tauntingly, Heero ripped the bloodied dagger from his leg while Branit stood laughing and thrusted it into Branits foot, Branit let out a painful cry and dropped to the ground and Heero pulled the dagger out and threw it into the river,

'Did you think I'd give up that fast!,' growled Heero as he grabbed Branit by the neck and started smashing him in the face, Branit then dug his fingers into the deep wound in Heeros leg, Heero roared at the top of his lungs as Branit threw his off in the process of trying to wipe the blood away from his eyes, They both stood up wearily and then began an all out brawl, Branit picked up a long stick and wasted Heero across the mouth with it making his lip bleed, as Heero dropped to the ground Branit ran over to him and kicked him again in the ribs, Heero coughed up more blood as he grabbed a rock and smashed Branit in the knee with it, a crunching of bone echoed around them and a cry from Branit as he fell over, Heero then rose to his feet breathing heavily and Branit looked up at is hunter also breathless from the brawl, anger swept across both of them as Branit pulled another dagger from his boot, he then ran at Heero in an attempt to kill him, Heero tried to side step but pain shot up his leg and Branit drove the dagger into Heeros shoulder, Heero let out a painful cry as they were both flew off the side of the bank and into the rushing river, Heero and Branit continued to brawl as they were swept down stream....

Cyrus let out a high pitched cry as he felt every part of Heero's pain...Valo, Brielle and Lionel watched the beast fly maddly around the tops of the trees trying to get to Heero, suddenly lightning struck down around Cyrus as he called for Heero

'Stupid fool...looks as though Branit..' began Zeddrick but Brielle kicked him in anger

'Do you think Heero's dead?' questioned Valo looking at Lionel

'No, He isn't dead...but by the looks of Cyrus...he's hurt,' said Lionel seriously as he frowned

Heero and Branit brawled in the water until a low rumble silenced the both of them

'What the hells is that?' questioned Branit as they both looked down the river, and they saw it...white mist

'It's a...water fall!,' exclaimed Branit as he tried to swim up stream, Heero pulled him back towards him

'Your not going anywhere!,' growled Heero as they picked up speed

'What are you crazy!!!,' growled Branit as they began fighting but Heero wouldn't let go

'I go over your coming!,' roared Heero as the current pushed them over at a high speed to the point where they were airbourne before they freefell

'You twisted son of a bitch!!!!,' cried out Branit as they fell, Heero smiled at him as he screamed and they fell sixty feet into a deep oasis below hitting the water hard, their bodies stung, Heero held on tightly to Branit as the undertow from the waterfall sucked them under and the pushed them out, Branit was unconciuos when Heero dragged them to the side, gasping for air he fell against the bank, He knew he couldn't rest but his body was battered and bruised badly, his ribs where throbbing and so was the dagger wounds in his leg and his arm, he desperately dragged Branit upon to the bank and checked him for and more daggers but he had nothing, wearily he looked around and saw way off in the distance lightning of purple and blue, He didn't realise how far they had come and it was going to take a while before he got back to the others and he knew that he couldn't call out for Cyrus because they needed Cyrus there just incase of an ambush,

'Dammit,' he groaned as he looked down at Branit, he took off his cloak and tore it into strips which he then used to make a carry slate by grabbing some branches, tieing them together and then tieing Branit to it securely and making sure that if he did wake up he couldn't get out, Heero lifted the carry slate and then dragged following the direction of Cyrus's thunder and lightning that echoed in the distance, His head throbbed, pain serged through his body with every step and blood dripped onto the ground from the wounds but he knew he couldn't rest...he was determined to get Branit back to the others and he had to stop Cyrus from going crazy,

'I'm coming Cyrus...but keep up the thunder and lightning so I know where to go,' whispered Heero as he looked up, 'Just keep calling,'

[Delta]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][COLOR=DarkGreen]
[B]A silver streak raced across the fields of Celebrynn and closely followed by a red blur.[/B]
?Vanilla! Let me lead! You?re going too far west!? Nauross shouted through the whistling wind. Sensing that Vanilla couldn?t hear her fellow Rider (she was busy shouting curses at the Riders who were leagues ahead of them.), Caramel let Flamberge pass them.

Countless hours spent in silence passed; the highwinds made communication between the two Riders impossible. Only when Flamberge squealed at midnight did the Company slow down. Vanilla chucked a loaf of bread at Nauross.
?Where are they??
?Hmm? The princess said that they were heading for this region.?
?Don?t tell me we?re lost.?
?I know these lands and assure you that we aren?t. Yet we must abandon the search until later. Not far from here is the River Anduin; let us alight on its banks." The knight patted his dragon. "I?m afraid Flamberge is not as hardy as your dragon.?

[B]The light of the moon went out as a thick cloud rolled across the sky.[/B] Lightning flashed ahead and a low rumble followed shortly after. The dragons swooped low and landed near the watercourse. While the dragons drank from Anduin, their Riders were busy examining a piece of cloth they picked up at the river?s edge.
?One of the Riders must have been here,? Vanilla concluded. ?It?s a cloak from Celebrynn--- What are you doing?? she asked as she raised a well-shaped eyebrow at her companion. Nauross was bent to the ground and was running a handful of dirt in his fist. ?Have you fallen in love with dirt??
?Tracks. That Rider must have been hauling something heavy into the woods.? He pointed at the marks on the soft mud. There was a channel-like depression that lead away from the river. Flanking it were footprints that dug deep into the earth. ?Come.?

Vesta, Nauross? sword, flashed as it hacked through the thickets. Vanilla was close behind, swatting the pelting branches Vesta cast (and because of this, the knight scolded her: ?The gloves I gave you are not for swatting branches.?). They stopped only to check the tracks. A quarter of an hour into the woods, they caught sight of a dark figure trudging on the narrow forest path.

Nauross called out to it: ?Rider!?
The figure stopped moving. Its features were briefly illuminated by lightning that streaked across the sky. Vanilla made her way towards the Rider. Nauross tightened his grip on Vesta and followed her.
Vanilla's eyes narrowed. ?Heero??
?None other.? With a sigh, Heero?s knees yielded and he lost his grip on his burden. Nauross knelt beside him and assessed his wounds. ?You must be Nauross.?
?Well met, Rider.? the knight replied. He tore of a piece of his cloak and wrapped it around the largest gash. Vanilla, meanwhile, was poking the bundle the Rider had dragged into the forest.
?What?s this?? she asked.
?That... that is Branit. He is needed alive by Valo so quit poking him--? At this point, the bundle stirred. A groan escaped from it and Heero promptly replied with a heel on Brandit?s face.

[B]The three Riders went back to the riverbank.[/B] Vanilla assisted Heero in walking and was bugging him with questions about his date with Brielle. Nauross followed, carrying the bundle on one of his shoulders. With Heero as their guide, the company (and the bundle) made their way towards the rest of Riders.
[/COLOR][/FONT]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

[i]I thought Heero'd be the right guy to go after Branit,[/i] Valo thought as he saw the others approaching. When the two groups met, Valo wasted no time. he used the standard water-in-the-face trick to wake Branit up, then went right to work.

"How is it possible to artificially breed dragons?"

Branit did a god job of looking confused. "It's not. Do you think I know how? Is that what this is about? Look, your information is wrong."

"Really?" Valo drew his poles and slammed one into Branit's left leg, breaking it. "Am I still wrong?"

"It isn't possible to-" valo broke his other leg. "I don't know anything!"

"Then I suppose you don't value your arms." He made to break Branit's left arm, but before he did, Branit gave in. "All right! I'll talk!"

"Good," Valo said. "Now, how is a dragon breeding program possible?"

"I'm not involved with the breeding part. That's not my job. I don't know how it's done. All I know is that there are tons of eggs made. fertile ones, too. When the eggs hatch, that's where I come in."

"Just what is your role, Branit?"

"I'm in charge of growth accelleration."

"What?!"

"Growth accelleration," Branit repeated. "The King wants his dragons as soon as possible. It takes about ten years before a dragon is ready for real fighting. The King doesn't want to wait that long, so we use growth accelleration. The dragons put through the process tend to be deformed physically, but that doesn't affect their capabillities. They don't get the experiance and knolwedge they would growing naturally, and they tend to be weaker than normal dragons, but that's offset by the speed at which they grow under the process. We stop most of the dragons when they reach about 30 years, although some are kept in the process longer. And there's one that we've kept in the process from its hatching. It was the first one we had after perfecting the process about three and a half months ago. Unless the process has problems with dragons of a certain age, which I doubt, then that dragon should be exactly 1,238 years at midnight tonight."

"How many dragons do you have right now?"

"I don't know. I'm in charge of the accelleration process, but I don't do all the work, and someone else is in charge of keeping track of numbers. I do know that we can grow them faster than the egg guys can give them to us. We're always waiting on them."

"That's good to know," Valo said. "No more questions." With that, he knocked Branit out. "We may need more from him later, so we'll take him with us. Lionel, you get the lead position. Brielle, you're next. Zeddrick, you come after her. Don't try anything. If you do, you and your dragon are both dead. Heero and Vanilla, I want you two on either side of Zeddrick. I'll be behind him. Vanilla, your companion gets to bring up the rear, and he gets to carry Branit. We need to get back to the castle as soon as possible, so we'll be going overnight again. When we get back, then we'll have a coulple day's rest. come on. Let's get moving."

[Redemption]

[COLOR=Purple]OOC: Good posting guys! Keep the great work up. Oh, 2 new events happening soon and plot twist so watch out for them. I'll PM you with info on some of them so you won't be lost.

Brielle looked at Brandit with a look of disgust on her face. She then looked at Zeddrick. She had never seen him close before. Her emotions took over her before when she spat at him, she never meant to. Scythe's voice echoed in her head, Passion rules reason. She sighed.
" What's the matter?" Scythe asked her.
" My moral standards have declined," she replied as she walked over to Ragnrok who backed away a little. " There's no need to be frightened of me anymore. I'm going to take good care of you and Zeddrick, despite what others think. You are living beings and deserve respect." Ragnrok seemed to ease a little and dropped to all fours. Brielle slid her hands over the dragon's scaly body, feeling for any wounds that couldn't be seen. She inspected Rangrok's wings, aware of Zeddrick's gaze on her. Soon, Ragnrok was all bandaged up. Brielle turned to the Riders who were talking amongst each other.
" Valo, Ragnrok cannot fliy so I propose we divide into two teams. One flies back, one walks back. I'm going to walk with Zeddrick and Ragnrok since she cannot fly. Anyone who wishes to come with me?"
" I will," Heero answered immediately.
" I will," Lionel replied.
" Anyone else?" Brielle asked. They all declined, wanting to return to the palace asap. " Ok." Before they left, Brielle bandaged Cyrus's wounds.

Watching the others take off, Brille arranged Scythe to take Zeddrick whose hands and feet were bound together, on dragonback. Ragnrok followed behind Scythe with Lionel at the rear. Heero was at the front.
" Feels like I'm being paraded around like a prize," Zeddrick said as they started to make their way to the palace.
" I don't intend to do that," Brielle replied. Lionel laid back on Styx and fell asleep. Brielle's stomach growled.
" Hungry?" Heero said as he joined Brielle by her side. She smiled at him.
" Yes, very. Haven't had anything to eat since our outing," she replied, showing him that she had accepted his apology. Heero sighed with relief, hearing her tone. He dug into his pack and brought out a loaf of bread. She took a bit and ate it gladly. Zeddrick's mouth water. She looked at him.
" Do you want some?" she asked, her mouth full of food.
" If you wouldn't mind," Zeddrick replied. Brielle hand fed him some bread since his hands were tied and gave him some water after. She watched him look at her strangely.
" What's the matter?" she asked, starting to get annoyed at the continuous stare.
" Nothing," Zedrick replied, now looking at the forest.
" So, this is going to be a long walk," Heero stated.
" Yes. I hope Ragnrok and Cyrus will be alright," Brielle replied, a look of concern on her face.
" If anything comes to worse, you can always use your healing ability," Heero suggested.
" Maybe."

Night...
Finally the group reached the defensive walls of the capital. The group was exhausted from a day and night continuous walk. Zeddrick had been a good hostage. When they went through the gates, Brielle turned to them.
" Ragnarok and Cyrus, are you guys ok to fly just to the palace?" she asked them. They both nodded. Brielle hopped into the saddle on Ragnarok and led her to the palace, the others followed. As soon as they landed in the gardens, the other Riders joined them.
" Took you long enough," Valo growled, eyeing Zeddrick with intense hatred, " May I please have my hostage now?"
Brielle hopped off Ragnarok and stared at him with an icy glare. " You may not. I want to interrogate him first. He's not any condition to be in your clutches." Lionel helped Zeddrick off Scythe's back, untieing his foot bounds. Zeddrick stared in wonder at the palace as Brielle led him into the Great Hall.
" You should have him blindfolded so he can't tell his masteranything about the layout of the palace!" Valo replied hotly. Brielle whirled around and marched towards Valo.
" You dare challenge my authority Valo?" she hissed. [I] Arrogant bastard.[/I] " I trust after a few words that Zeddrick might change sides."
The whole group was stunned.
" But...." Lionel started. Vanilla stared in disbelief at Brielle who was in Valo's face, waiting for an answer. Valo stared right back at her.
" No I do not," he answered finally. There was no hint of him backing down from Brielle's threat.
" Next time Valo, you won't be so lucky," Brielle said as she led Zeddrick to the King's throne room.

" So, you are the one who has organised all the attacks against our capital and border towns?" Orion's voice resonated around Zeddrick who looked at the King straight in the eyes.
" Yes," he replied simply. Brielle stood at his side. Kai and Lillyana were either side of the King who was in the middle of delegating a new team to repair the barracks previously damaged by the attack on the capital.
" Why do you work for Ilthazar?" the King asked, her voice resonating with power. Zeddrick stayed silent. Brielle went to nudge him in the ribs but remembered that they were all broken.
" Zeddrick, could you answer please?" she encouraged him. Zeddrick stayed tight lipped. Orion's brow furrowed.
" Brielle, I want you to get information out of him. Do what you must. I don't want another massacre like the first battle," Orion stated. Brielle nodded and led Zeddrick to the room next to hers. Ragnarok was already in there, sleeping off the effects of a draught given to her to help her wounds heal. Brielle undid his hand ties. Zeddrick rubbed his red wrists and turned to her.
" Why are you so kind to me? After you went spastic at me during battle and immediately after?"
" My moral standards declined at that moment. I apologise for my actions. Passion rules reason," Brielle said before exiting the room. She left two experienced guards at the door and stationed archers outside the windows. Walking back out into the garden, she approached Heero,Cyrus and Scythe. They were all talking to each other but stopped suddenly when they saw Brielle apporach them. She arched an eyebrow suspiciously.
" Are you guys alright?" Brielle asked.
" I am. Heero's not," Cyrus replied quickly before Heero could say anything.
" Take off your shirt," Brielle demanded. Heero went red.
" What?!"
" I said take off your shirt. I can't see your wounds properly if they're covered." Obiedently, Heero took off his shirt, showing Brielle some bloody scars. Brielle went and gathered some bandages, water and healing oil and returned. Heero's face was red. Scythe and Cyrus looked at each other and sniggered.
" Oh shut up you two," Heero snapped before Brielle returned, embarassed.
Brielle dabbed a cloth in water and washed his wounds. He hissed as it stung. Next she dabbed healing oil over it. This stung more than the water. Heero yelped and jumped up.
" Oh you wuss. Sit back down and I'll bandage it," Brielle commanded. Heero sat down again, muttering curses. Cyrus and Scythe burst out laughing. Finally,Brielle managed to bandage all his wounds.
" There. Done. Happy now?"[/COLOR]

[Gelgoog Pilot]

As Brielle left Zeddrick grinned.
"Yes, I'll repay kindness with kindness, now, to deal with 'him'." Now completely free Zeddrick sat down on the cold stone floor, crossing his legs infront of him. For a few moments, silence, then a barely audable mumbling could be heard. It then took the form of a chant. A death chant.

In the prison below the palace, a few of the gurds were shouting angirly at each other.
"He's going to kill us went he finds out!"
"Why we didn't do anything, At least I DIDN'T do anything."
"What are you implying! That prisoner is dead now and on OUR watch we're BOTH responsible."

A few moments ago Brandit had begun shaking violently, then a seizure took over him. He flailed his limbs about crazily, fomed at the mouth, shouted insanely , and then went still and silent. Dead. he had died. And now the guards had to explain to Sir Valo when he arrived to innterogate him again.

Brielle entered the room once again. Zeddrick was now laying against the slumbering Dragon.

"Hello, Im going to check on your wounds now"
"Whatever..." He open his cloak up to reviel the bound up chest. Blood was seeping through from the re-opend wounds.
"Well, we did quite a number on you huh?"
"You, did this number mostly, that imbicile Valo just made it worse."

She moved to change the wrappings when Zeddrick's hand caught hers. She tensed as shock and a little fear arose inside her. She relaxed though, the grip wasn't at all harsh or powerful, it was firm but in a friendly manner. He looked at her hand then, for what seemed minutes.
"What is it? I saw you staring at em before. I want to know Zeddrick." Her voice was strong and frim.
"That mark on your hand...how long have you had it?"
"I've always had this, its called a 'birth-mark'."
"I...I had a sister once...she had this exact same mark...I know because it looked like a dragon's wing. As does this one."

Brieel sared at him intensely not understanding exactly what he was saying. She left his touch and walked stunned out of the room.

[naota]

[COLOR=Teal][SIZE=1]OCC:: Damn,I can't think of anything to post lol.Make those events come soon so I can post more.I just felt like posting now since I haven't posted on this page yet.
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Lionel was walking to a big tree in the garden to do his daily weapon and skill training but he couldn't get Zeddrick off of his mind. Lionel felt like going into his room and just killing him.Lionel started attacking the tree violently making deep slashes into the tree.He tried to pretend it was Zeddrick so it would calm him down alittle bit.Lionel didn't know that Styx was listening to his thoughts pretending he was asleep.Lionel decided to stop doing his weapon training and walk upto a tree where Syth was sleeping under.He then shook up Styx so he would wake up.

"Take me for a ride through the forest"said Lionel calmly

"Ok"said Styx as he was yawning

Lionel put a saddle on him and hopped on his back.Styx left the ground with the impact of the wind blowing the grass and leaves violently.Lionel and Styx flew high up into the air and then did a big dive towards the forest and stopped right at the ground and started flying fast around the forest.The wind was blowing very fast on his face making his eyes squint.They were about to hit a tree and lost controll and almost fell down the waterfall.

Lionel landed on the ground injuring his head on the ground.Lionel then getting even more pissed off just decided to go to the village closest to the castle. When Lionel arrived the village there wasn't many people there that he saw.

"You want something to eat?"said Lionel curiously

"No,I am not hungry"said Styx calmly

"Ok,suite yourself"said Lionel calmly

Lionel started to walk to a mini-store that sold beer.Lionel bought a few glasses of beer and went back to his dragon and hopped on.Styx started flying over to the castle and fell off at the garden but Styx caught him.When Lionel got off Styx he was drunk so he could barely stand up and before you know it he fell asleep.Styx walked to the tree when Lionel was sleeping on and then sat down next to him to fall asleep. [/SIZE][/COLOR]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

"We don't know what caused it, sir."

Branit's guards were trying to explain Branit's death to Valo. It was hard, because they didn't know what happened. Valo asked to see the body. The guards brought Branit's body to him, and he kneeled beside it. After inspecting the body for wounds, he looked up. "Did the healers inspect for poison?'

"They did, sir," one of the guards responded. "He wasn't poisoned."

Valo put his hand on Branit's forhead and closed his eyes, concentrating. there was an aura in the body, one he recognized. "Zeddrick."

"The other captive?"

Valo nodded and stood up. "That's him. He rides the Death dragon. His powers, like mine, have a distinct signature, a distinct aura. His aura is in branit's body."

"Why did he kill Branit?"

"Because he couldn't kill us. For some reason, he can't kill any of us the way he killed Branit. If he could, we'd already be dead. He didn't want us interrogating Branit, because he knew that Branit would talk. I got some information from Branit before we got back to the palace. Zeddrick didn't want us getting any more information, so he removed our information source."


Valo exited the dungeon. He found a guard who knew where Zeddrick was located. He was about to head there when a man ran up to him. Valo knew who the man was. The man was another spy. He was the one gathering information on troop movements. valo gave his end of the code, "Akil'il'oi kalo'oil'liak."

"Akil'il'oi aso'oloi'ilal'li," the man, named Azufe, responded. the code for hm was different than the code for Jaht.

"I don't know much," Azufe said. "What I do know is that a large-scale attack is coming, and the target is somewhere near here. I don't know exactly where, I don't know when, and I don't know what the target is. I got here as fast as I could. Hopefully you'll be able to figure out the target in time to get there and protect it. Not likely, though. All I know is that the target is being referred to as 'Queen'. Not the Queen as in Orion's wife, though. This 'Queen' is someone or something else. i'm sorry I don't know anything more."

"You did what you could," Valo told him. "Besides, we have a prisoner who probably knows the details."


The first thing Brielle saw after she left Zeddrick's room was Valo, and he looked ready to blow through anything in his way. Brielle got in his way. "No, Valo."

"Yes," Valo replied. "Don't ask me how, but Zeddrick is responsible for killing Branit. I don't know what he did, but we're still alive, so he can't do it to us."

"All the more reason to keep you away from him. You'll probably kill him."

"I can't right now, Brielle. He has information I need. I have just learned that a large-scale attack is on the way. I don't know where the attack will be, or when, or what the target is. All I know is that the target is being referred to as 'Queen'. Not Orion's wife, though. This 'Queen' is someone or something else, and I don't know what. I think Zeddrick knows the details, and I need to know them. If you don't wat me interrogating Zeddrick, fine. You get the information. But if you can't get anthing out of him, then it's my turn."

[Redemption]

[COLOR=Purple]Brielle watched Valo walk out of the room. She turned to Zeddrick.
" So you know about the death of the Dragon Queen?"
" Yes," Zeddrick replied simply.
" And what are your moves?" Brielle asked, authority ringing in her voice. Zeddrick smiled. " Tell me otherwise I may have to hurt you. I don't want to do that."
Suddenly Zeddrick leapt up and grabbed her hand again.
" You have to be..." he muttered.
" Your sister? Look at us. You chose the side of evil, I chose the side of good. We are not alike," Brielle replied, stunned. He let go of her hand and she rushed out of the room, distressed.
_____________________

Orion looked over the city below him.
" So, the Dragon Queen has finally breathed her last breath. Now a new Dragon Queen will be born and she will produce cousins of the Riders' elemental dragons. That will be years from now. Although, Ilthazar knows that the Dragon Queen grows at an accelerated rate. He'll want it for one purpose or another." He watched people run around down below the city, readying themselves for the festival celebrating the end of the Hundred Year War.
" Ah...the ball. I forgot to mention that to Brielle. A ball for the Riders. Although I'm sure some would rather not attend. I think I'll have to order them to." He snapped his fingers. A servant came to his side.
" Yes Your Majesty?"
" Tell all the Riders that there will be a ball to celebrate their victory. It is my order that they attend. They can wear what they like but they have to be there."
" Yes sire."
He ran off to do his bidding.

OOC: Ok guys. Get ready for the ball and a attack on the capital during the ball. ;)[/COLOR]

[naota]

[COLOR=DarkRed][SIZE=1]
(::OCC::If I need to fix anything tell me!)
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[color=darkred][size=1]Lionel woke up with a small head ache from his hang over as he stood up from the tree and yawned.The wind was blowing the leaves lightly as Lionel was enjoying the nice breaze and thinking what he should do next.He decided to walk in the castle and see what the other dragon riders were up to and when Lionel entered the castle a servent came to the dragon riders with a serious face on.

"Dragon Riders,King Orion ordered that you all go to the ball that will happen tonight. It is a celebration for the 100 year wars ending.He said you can wear what you like but you must be there" said the servent seriously in a deep voice

The dragon riders then started talking among eachother about the ball as the servent left and was on his way to go back to the king to tell him that he did the task. Lionel was standing there excited because there was going to be a celebration.He loved celebrations because there was dances, women, food, women, and drinks.Lionel then went out to the garden to tell Styx about the news untill he saw Heero hanging out at a big tree and decided to walk up to him and inform him also.

All of the riders then started preparing for the ball that was going to happen.There was conversation about the ball inside the castle as all of them were preparing. Lionel was about to leave and go to a private place so he can get dressed properly but the servent came back again with another message to tell us.

"The King said get ready before 20 minutes end because it would have started if you do it any later and if you do it earlier that would be better" said the servent calmly but still in a deep voice

Lionel put the saddle on Sythes back and then hopped on him into town to shop for clothes while he started a conversation with Sythe about what they would do at the ball.
[/size][/color]

[GuyYouMetOnline]

Valo sought out Brielle as soon as he was ready for the ball. The first thing she noticed was that he had his poles strapped to his back, like normal. Normal for Valo, but not for a ball. "All of us in one place presents a target that Ilthazar won't be able to resist," was his explination. "If I didn't know that the Dragon Queen was the target, I'd say that the attack was going to happen durring the ball. As it is, I still expect an attack, just not the one I had questions about. Now, I have a question for you. When you left Zeddrick's room, you looked... confused. Upset, too. And shocked. Please explain what happened to give you those feelings."

"I-it's kind of personal," Brielle replied.

"You don't understand what happened, do you? Tell me, then. I might be able to help you figure it out."

"Well... all right. You've seen the mark on my hand?" Valo nodded. "It's a birthmark. Zeddrick has the same mark. So did my brother."

"Is your brother alive?"

"I don't think so."

Valo chuckled. "Slow, aren't you? Or maybe just in denial. i'd probably be, too. But you're the one who found her brother again, not me. Face it, Brielle. He's your brother. It's pretty obvious."

----------------------------------------------------

OOC: Tell me if you don't want Brielle saying any of that, amgoddess.

[Heero Darkangel]

Heero had gotten ready for the ball, and he was walking down the corridor and found Brielle and Valo in deep conversation, looking at the distressed expression he walked over to them

'What's going on?' he questioned with a deep frown looking at both of them

Valo looked at Heero with a raised eyebrow, 'I'll leave this one to you Brielle,' he spoke as he walked away, Heero watched Valo disappear into the crowd, he then turned his attention back to Brielle

'Brielle what is he talking about?' questioned Heero looking worried, Brielle then took his hand and they walked out into the garden, away from the crowd and sat down a the garden seats

'Zeddrick...maybe my brother' she whispered loud enough for Heero to hear her as she looked down at her birthmark

'What?' Heero questioned looking at her in shock

'Zeddrick has the same birth mark...as me...my brother had the same birthmark and it's only us two that have it...which means that Zeddrick...maybe my brother...how could he be my brother..,' explained Brielle as tears rolled down her face

'Brielle..' Heero whispered as he took her hand, 'if he is your brother...then you can't deny it...no matter how hard you want to...he will always be your brother...and if your worried that the people may think less of you because of his actions...then you are wrong....they have seen the goodness in your heart and they have witnessed your compassion, your loyalty...your love...they will never think like that...Just because he is your brother and he fights for Ilthazar..a man who is greedy and power hungry doesn't mean to say that you are like your brother...you are the element of Life, he is of Death but...in saying that you are both bound together because Without Life there is no Death and without Death..there is no Life,'

'How can you be so understanding of all this?' questioned Brielle looking confused

'Because I'm not about to judge you just because Zeddrick is your brother...I'd rather kill myself than think any less of you...I could never think any less of you just because of that...or for any other reason,' spoke Heero as his face turned red and he smiled

Brielle looked at him as tears rolled down her cheeks, 'but he has hurt so many innocent people,'

'There's an old saying that Drewell use to say everytime he went to war...There's a reason behind every mans fight..not all is as it seems,' spoke Heero as he wiped a tear away from her cheek and she smiled at Him, this was a side of Heero she had never seen before...that noone had seen

[Skillgannon]

The last day and a half were uneventful for Sef, the physicians he had gone to, had bled his festering wounds and administered a course of leeches and in his weakened state he had been powerless to stop them. Thankfully Brielle had come to his rescue, before going on her date with hero, scattering the quacks in a fit of temper. But what soured up the rescue was her berating him for not tending to his injuries.

Sef woke as a soft form stirred next to him. He smiled a as an arm slid across his bare chest?
[I][?sef!?][/I]
[I](?Blood and ashes, Mykkael, you couldn?t have picked a worse time,?)
[?Valo and several riders departed hastily, followed closely by Flamberge and caramel?]
(?Look you can tail them if you want, but it would probably be better if you stayed here with the others just in case there is another attack?)
[?Great to see you?ve got your priorities right brother?] [/I] said Mykkael sarcastically [I][?have fun?][/I]
[I](?Oh I will?)[/I] assured Sef, lifting the buxom young serving maid on top of him and playfully bitting her on the collarbone.


Sef walked gracefully into the grand ballroom. The carved marble walls of the lage chamber glittered in the soft light of Valo?s handiwork. Hundreds of orbs of light hung in mid air over the heads of the crowd milling around the rows of tables that lined the walls, attended by servants carrying trays of drink, and sweat meats. The centre of the hall was occupied by couples dancing to the serenade of the royal musicians. Sef?s heavy silk trousers, rustled faintly as he walked toward the dais at one end of the ballroom where king Orion sat, the black silk coat Sef wore was of a highland cut stopping at thigh length and easily disguising the baldric under it, which housed ?waiu?.
Sef bowed respectfully to his king and strolled through the people standing around, surveying the scene with calm eyes, he stopped abruptly as his eyes picked up a slight shimmer on the far west wall.
[I](?Mykkael!? Expecting trouble??)[/I]
[I][?That?s a pretty stupid question; your wearing ?waiu? aren?t you?]
(?Good point, good job with the camouflage?)
[?Better than you think!?]
{?Hi Sef?}[/I]
Sef was taken aback as the wall to his left spoke to him. Turning slowly he walked towards it, absently picking up a goblet of wine from a tray. Leaning against the wall he noticed a big beautiful brown eye on the ceiling, which winked cheekily at him.
[I](?Caramel!?)[/I]
[I]{?The one and only! Cyrus sin, Scythewing and some of the others are here too?}
[?We decided this way we could still enjoy the festivities, but be a nasty little surprise If someone gatecrashed?][/I]
Sef was simply amazed at the level of detail Mykkael had gone to, as apart from a feint flicker of movement, the huge dragons were all but invisible, chameleon like they blended into the rock.
Sef was suddenly captivated by a new wonder as Vanilla and Nauross walked down the wide, polished marble stairs arm in arm. He couldn?t help but notice she looked ravishing, as the flutterings of jealousy swelled in his chest. Gulping down the remains of his goblet, he walked off to find someone to engage in conversation?

[Delta]

[FONT=Book Antiqua][COLOR=DarkGreen]
Having the best brew in town made The Prancing Pony the rowdiest tavern around. Nightly were drinking contests and arm-wrestling matches held, most of which ended in short-lived brawls. Inside, Vanilla sat in the company of her fellow patrons and was swigging her way through the first drinking contest of the night. One by one the contenders fell into a drunken stupor around and by the 17th shot, only the lady Rider remained.
?I thank you boys for that lovely game,? she said as she collected a gold piece each from their hand. ?Nice doing business with you.?
She left the pub, swung onto the back of a waiting black steed, and galloped away.

Vanilla arrived at the castle grounds with the faint sweet stink of wine trailing behind her. The horse halted at the arched entrance and was led away to the stables by a knight. Half an hour later, she was dressed for the ball? well, sort of.

[i][Have you nothing else to wear?]
Oh come on. It?s very tasteful isn?t it?
[Ah, yes. Very tasteful indeed if you were going off to battle.]
Hah, a lovely surprise that would be.
[Where?s your knight?]
Over there, talking to Brielle.
[Yes, I can see that. The Captain, where is he?][/i]

?The ball started an hour ago.? said a voice from behind her. She turned around and found herself face to face with Nauross. The Captain bowed deeply. The woman before him was in an ensemble unlike the other lady guests? dresses. Her silver hair was set into a long braid down her back. Instead of a dress, she wore white riding pants paired with a dark blue top. She had no accessories nor adornments on her save for brown leather boots and the gloves he gave her. He smiled at the sight of this light item and offered his arm to her. ?Riding off to battle, lady Rider??
?No, I dressed to match your attire.? she replied with a grin.
[/COLOR][/FONT]