Rise of the Dragon Riders {CLOSED}

[tenebria]

Alalëa's breath was held as she neared the end of the scroll. The battle was raging, so the tale told, and the dragons of The Nest were being overwhelmed in no small manner. Varamraden and the cloaked rider were locked in a fierce battle, neither giving an inch, throwing blast for blast, arrow for arrow, claw for claw and fang for fang. It seemed an unconquerable battle. The battle had begun in the morning, and now the evening was lowering upon them. Soon, the sun's light would no longer glint over the battle, and the golden dragon and his rider would no longer have enough strength to withstand.
The elf's eyes widened slightly as she read, the old script causing the battle to rage longer than it had in reality. With eagerness she reached to unroll the last part of the scroll... the ancient papyrus unfolding before her... blank. She blinked, sitting up straight and staring at it in confusion, shocked out of the battle. Wait, where was the rest? Her eyes narrowed as undid the few inches that remained, turning it over and then back again to stare at the last words. (not an accurate translation, but close enough) " Varamraden looked to the sun's failing light, and knew it would soon end. The dark creature beating it's wings in an endless thunder gave a ghastly bellow, as if tasting the coming victory. The elf let his gaze drift over the battle, time seeming to slow. All around him, riders fell, their faithful dragons throwing themselves with desperate valor at the enemy. The screams and cries and bellows filled his ears. He looked down to Glaedr. "My old friend... lend me your strength for this last task." Alalëa let out a frustrated sigh. How had it ended? She had never heard. No history book spoke of how it ended, and yet the fact that the Nest still stood, bespoke of a victory. But at what cost? She sat back, leaning her head on the rough stones as she closed her eyes, trying to think of why the scroll did not tell the full story. Why would any scribe take the time to pen all this, and leave it unfinished? 

[tenebria]

Visilva was in her element as she swooped freely through the sky, looping and twirling with joy. Nothing to hold her back, no maneuvers to perform, just her own will to guide her! She let out a powerful roar as she swooped through a cloud of Dreki, scattering them violently and grinning as they buzzed towards the earth in confusion, most of them having their wings in a scared stiff death lock. She ignored the path they were set on, it being of no concern to her, and she continued swooping through the air, heading for the distant Vail.

Nuana looked over with an almost form of a frown to "Arrow", but she smoothed her expressions with a graceful smile and giving a slight nod to the twin. "Perhaps I shall send a stableboy to fetch you next time we plan to grace the heavens" she said with a kind smile, then looking over to "Harrow", giving him a very scornful look as he attempted what he must have thought was a charming look. But while the two certainly had nothing in the looks department for her books, they did have the courteousness and adoration that she soaked up. She gave them a brief nod "Perhaps I shall" she said in a voice that indicated it would be quite the kindness to do so on her part. She ignored the comment of who was older, turning her nose up slightly. She was completely unconcerned in that matter, they were twins, and age was certainly no concern for her with either of these two. "As you wish so greatly to assist me, I shall bestow upon you a great honor. You have my permission to lead my dragon back to her abode to rest" she said with another patronizing smile, while giving Leilani a slight nudge, as the dragon had whipped her head over with an almost horrified expression. Be left alone with these two HORRORS? How could she ever live down being seen being led by.. by these muddy bean poles? They weren't fit to lead a rat! But at her rider's motion she held her self stiffly and gave them a queenly nod. After all, they had made her rider late for the dinner hall, which was extremely unbefitting one of her rank. But the honor of leading her and spending time near her gloriousness? She wouldn't have given it to them in a thousand years on her own. She gave a slight snort and raised her head even higher, if that was even possible, staring off into the distance with an elegant ignoring expression.

[wingfeather]

Elexian continued his tedious patrol, glancing every once in a while at the distant peaks shadowing the ever lowering sun. Suddenly a black form shot from above him, going into the direction of the Vail. He realized immediately that it was a dragon, but he could not tell quite who it was, which was strange considering how much time he spent in the stables, he knew all the dragons very well. Ceasing his march he leaned out onto the battlements and squinted at the already distant dragon. He could see it was riderless, that he noticed almost immediately. All of the sudden he realized it was the shadow dragon, he forgot her name but he knew it was her. He also knew that she was notorious for escaping, I wonder I Alalëa knows, he said with a slight smile. He didn't think that the dragon was hunting since she was going away from the forest where all the best hunting was. He shrugged and realizing he was idle, continued his march.

[wingfeather]

Dagor finally reached the Commander's chambers, he banged loudly against the door, but there was no answer. Which another muttered grumble Dagor reached up and opened the door. Spruce made a move to follow when Dagor had entered but the dwarf forestalled him, ''stay out here Spruce lad, I wont be very long.'' This suited Spruce very well as he immediately flopped to his side and began making loud dragony snores. Dagor rolled his eyes then entered the chamber. It was pretty small but sparkly furnished so it still had a rather roomy feel. He walked up to the very large hardwood table and set the papers on one of the few empty spots left. Well got that done, he said dusting his hands off and making for the doorway when the form of the Commander suddenly filled it, ''ah Dagor,'' he boomed, ''I see you brought those reports.'' ''Yes Ronan,'' the dwarf answered in a voice just as strong, ''no I've got to get back to me forge.'' ''Of course,'' the Commander nodded, he knew how much a dwarf loved his smithy, ''and thank you.'' Dagor waved his hand in response before exiting the room. The Commander shook his head and smiled, ''of all the residents of the Nest, dwarves were the strangest, especially Dagor.''

[wingfeather]

''Right,'' Harrow said, ''I'm the older, no matter what.'' At Nuana's next phrase his face lit up, but for an entirely different reason than the girl would think, ''of course,'' he said, all formal bows and fawning looks. He took up a spot on Leilani's right side, ''well Harrow lad, my younger brother, let us go and put up the lady's dragon.''

[Chloriosus]

Arrow nodded and bowed again. “Yes, we will be overjoyed to put your little one in the stables for you.” He looked at Leilanie with a smile. “I just hope it doesn’t get any dusty or anything on our way there.”, he said slyly with a glance at his brother. “My older brother named Arrow and I are experts with telling weather, and I think small gusts of dust are foreseeable.” This sentence was ended with a flourishing tipping of an imaginary hat.

[Chloriosus]

Sorgen ceased his stick poking. This was hopeless. He might as well just wait until Alaleas return and face the music. He walked out of the stables passing by Astolet. “I can’t find her.”, he told her hopelessly. Astolet looked at him regrettably. “I’m sorry.”, she told him. At that, the little bronze colored dragon Carbonate began uttering little dragon language sounds. The crow, whose name I might mention was Irrational, cocked his head and seemly thought, before squawking, “she gone, long gone! Gone! Gone!” Astolet looked at the little shinning black bird. “Who?” she asked Carbonite, who started talking again, spewing oil this way and that. The crow tiltedbits head again so that its little hat and flight goggles almost fell off before translating,”Smoke grin gone! Long gone!” Astolet huffed. “What do you mean “long gone”? Where did she go?” The crow almost shrugged. “Fishbowl!” Sorgen looked at the perky bird in confusion. “What?” The bird movie mimicked Sorgens tone with a “What?”, before screaming even louder “Fishbowl!” “It means he has no clue what to say now.”, Astolet explained. “Fishbowl is like a taboo word for him. I taught him that when he was younger because he kept eating my little Grostern dragon fish I was reading for their fins. Now he’s so used to it he still uses it. However, if the shadow dragon is gone now, she’ll most likely come back, and there’s nothing more you can do about it except wait.” Sorgen sighed. “That seems to be one of the main things I’m doing. To be honest, I’m not sure if I can manage this whole life thing.” Astolet blew her hair out of her face again before saying,” Ha, yeah, it’s pretty common amongst youngsters like you to be so jittery. I suppose you were a nervous wreck at the sign ups today weren’t you?” Sorgen stared blankly. “The? Sign ups???” The blonde haired human laughed. “Yeah, the dragon tournament ones.” Sorgens mind raced. They were today?!? He had NOT known that. Not at all. “There today?”, he asked almost in disbelief. “Yup. Deadlines tomorrow. I recommend you go earlier than then, if you haven’t gone. The earlier the better.” , she responded cheerfully. “You better do it, that’s my advise. Best of luck!” Sorgen nodded, and turned towards the weapon makers place. “They were today, how did I not remember!”, he kept asking himself as he raced down the street an burst into the smiths shop.

[tenebria]

Nuana gave an elegant nod "Of course you would be" she said in a patronizing tone, smiling at her petal dragon who was obviously ignoring them all. She was about to gracefully turn her back and walk off, when she heard the mention of dust. DUST? How dare they even mention such a thing! She turned on them quickly, an elegant frown on her brow. "If she gets so much as one speck of dust on her scales, I expect you two to polish her to perfect spotlessness again" she said with a commanding air.

[wingfeather]

Harrow’s face fell for a moment then quickly it brightened again, quite as if a light had been lit in his head. “Of course,” he said with smoother mocking bow, “anyone who gets so much as half a speck of dust will have to polish her twice over!” He winked at Arrow, a plan forming in his mind, he wondered which unfortunate young stable boy would stumble across their path today. “Come on Harrow, we must return missy’s dragon to her palace,” he gave his brother two winks and scuffed his boot on the stone ledge, the other hopefully would get the idea.

[Chloriosus]

Arrow returned the winks, and scuffed his left hand through his hair three times, then coughed. “Anyone.”,he confirmed, before smirking slightly at the unwilling petal dragon.

[tenebria]

Nuana relaxed her hard gaze and gave a brief light nod "That is acceptable. You may leave now" she said with a dismissive gesture, realizing swiftly that it was better to dismiss them than be the first to leave.

Leilani let her gaze slide downwards to the twins, apprehension filling her. She didn't like the sound of their words... dust? She couldn't get dust on her perfect spotless white scales! It had taken her HOURS to get them in this condition!

[tenebria]

Alalëa frowned, still deep in thought as she rose to her feet and began carefully rolling up the long scroll, her mind turning with it. Perhaps if she could speak to one of the older scribes, he might have some memory of any scroll pertaining to this one. The thought of searching herself did cross her mind, but a single glance at the long shelves filled brim discouraged any hope of that. Picking up the scroll she walked over to one of the newer shelves and slid it in, where it would be easy to find later. Letting her gaze pass over the shelves of manuscripts again, she gave a brief smile at the calmness it had bestowed upon her, despite the new puzzle that she now was determined to piece together. Sweeping the cloak off the candlestick, she shrugged it on and moved to the door, her focus set on finding a certain scribe, who would hopefully not be already deep in slumber.

[wingfeather]

Harrow was no longer paying Nuana any attention and after placing a firm hand on Leilani's saddle strap he began walking in the direction of her stall, he looked around briefly for a handy stable boy. Suddenly he espied Serhan, ah perfect he thought.

[Chloriosus]

Crimson’s wings cut swiftly through the rapidly frigiding air, his silver scales a flash barely perceptible with the grayish clouds in background. His flight was almost perfect, although an individual who knew dragons and their ways could have told upon close scrutiny that his wing, although mostly healed, still bothered him somewhat. They sped towards the Vail swiftly, Firaskos ever attentive eyes jumping from now this spot to the next, taking in everything. She whistled to Crimson now and then to make sure he was alright, and every time his answer was agreement. The way to the Vail didn’t really have anything special, but it was beautiful, and here and the were small creeks. Firasko urged Crimson to go faster, so that they could reach the Vail before sunset. They did, and upon reaching it, they flew along it a ways. Nothing out of the ordinary was to be seen. They flew farther along the Vail, keeping a vigilant eye out for any dragons. Firasko enjoyed being alone with Crimson. Together and unobserved by anyone, together in nature was a freeing feeling that was hard to find amongst others with whom communication was rare. After a while of still not spotting anything, Firasko and Crimson crossed the Vail aways. The air was serene , and the wind felt good. There, behind a hill, what was that? Something caught Firaskos eye. She observed the area closely and suspiciously. Something felt off…

[Chloriosus]

Arrow walked behind his brother, making sure that Nuana was out of sight. When he couldn’t see her anymore, he ran up to join his brother. “Which one are you thinking today?”, he asked, a mischievous glint appearing in his eye.