Rise of the Dragon Riders {CLOSED}

[wingfeather]

Fire stared at his brother, he never understood his twin's strange rituals, ''well no doubt they are up to no good, their probably having a contest at who can kill himself in the most dumbest way. Do you think we should go look for they? We both know that they didn't go back to the barracks for a sensible night's sleep,'' he said peering down the dim hall.

[Chloriosus]

Ice lifted his head back out of the bucket. "Undoubtedly.", he confirmed. "Or their seeing who jumps off the highest tree without dying to determine whose older." He followed his broters gaze in looking down the hall. "That would be a good idea. No need to check their beds just in case, there's no way they're in there.

[wingfeather]

''No it will be the other way around, whoever dies will be 'older','' Fire says as he worked to unlatch their stall, which the twins never cared to carefully lock. ''Ya they are definitely not in their beds, where do you think we should check,'' he asked the the stall suddenly opened with a loud creak. Fire winced, ''why dont they ever oil this thing,'' he asked himself, though he knew the answer well.

[tenebria]

"ON YOUR CLAWS YOU WORTHLESS MEAT SCRAP!" A voice roared, followed by a fearful clang as two giant curled horns slammed into the solid iron bars, the razor sharp points easily sliding through, and slicing into the captive dragon's thin belly scales. Varp shuddered awake from his void like sleep, the familiar sensation of pain flashing through him as he scrambled away from the edge, eyes glazed as he turned with dipped head to face his tormentor. The huge bull like dragon removed his horns and let out a powerfully angry snarl, glaring at him and taking a deep breath, jaws slightly open to reveal a hideous fang filled sneer. Many thoughts flashed through the bony dragon as he crouched into the ground submissively. HOW? How was Morvok alive? He had set it perfectly, the Dreadlight should have merged into the raw meat that was thrown to them last night, and he was almost positive that he had heard the guard's angered death cries in the arena. SO HOW was he standing before him. The cramped cage shook as Morvok slammed his entire head into the cage again, looking as if he wished to murder Varp... which he most likely did. "The moment you set foot outside this cage, I will be waiting for you" He snarled, his voice low in absolute terrifyingly calm rage. Varp knew this was no bluff. And there was only one way to get out of this. Which fortunately included something he was best at. "My humblest apologies for anything I may have done to incur your incredible wrath my liege" he hissed sibilantly, his head almost in the very dust as he flattened himself out further, wings spread in abjectness. "Perhaps if your powerfulness could explain the situation, I could understand how better to serve you?" he suggested, his voice trembling in sickening servitude.

[Chloriosus]

After drinking from the brooke, Crimson decided to give his best attempt at flying again. The dark woods were getting foggier, and the temperatures were dropping rapidly. As he ran through a thickly shrubbed area he kept an eye out for a good place for taking off. Usually he would be able to take off with little or no take off space, but he knew his wing wouldn't hold up against the resistant winds. He finally found a suitable place, and after giving his wings a test stretch, he took off. His wing smarted terribly, but he was able to keep himself in the air for time being. He slowly rose higher until he had surpassed a layer of low flying clouds. He swooped downwards again and flew between two mountains. Yes, flying definetly spared a lot of time, although he could feel his wing weakening already. He diverted his mind to thoughts of different nature. That shadow dragon had better not lose those katanas. If anything happened to either of them, he was going to kill her in the worst way he could think up, and he could think of quite a few rather unpleasant ones at the moment. He was also reminded that to carry out such a plan he would have to make it back alive himself, so that spurred him on a bit. He was also reminded that he had forgotten to tell Visilva that some of his poison had probably stuck off on the blade and likely looked just like blood. Hopefully she would have the sense not to consume it in any way, for catching a spell of paralysis or death was not very preferable at the moment.

[wingfeather]

Dókar stood tall behind his wheel, as straight as his stocky and dwarvish form would allow him. This was what he liked, standing at the helm of his mighty war vessel The Black Death, a salty breeze blowing through his coal black beard, rattling the gold beads and bright colored gems that ornamented it in a strange barbaric way. A large black dragon suddenly swooped down from the sky and landed heavily on the deck just below where he stood. The black clad rider leapt lightly off its back and sprinted silently up the stairs, ''Admiral,'' the man said in a quiet voice, ''a message... from He Higher Up.'' Dókar kept his eyes straight ahead but nodded his head for the messenger to proceed. ''He says orders have changed, we attack, tomorrow at earliest. Some of our outriders have caught one of that cursed Nest and their dragon escaped, we think that he will go back and somehow warn them of our whereabouts.'' Dókar smiled, the moonlight glinted off his gold tooth, ''aye tell him we'll be there,'' he said spinning the wheel viciously before bellowing, ''ALL HANDS ON DECK, there'll be blood spilled today,'' he said more softly. The rider went back to his dragon and took off.

[tenebria]

Visilva glided on the currents as she took a brief respite, bending her neck to glance down to the earth far below. And relief filled her. She was past the Vail! With a growl of sudden energy she dove into an air current and winged her way swiftly towards the distant nest. She could not see it yet... but she knew soon she would arrive. And it was a good thing, for every moment she spent in the air, the sky grew that much lighter. The night had seemed to fly faster than her, much faster. Far too fast. She growled again, this time in annoyance as her tongue on accidentally was nicked by the sharp blade. Why did that infuriating elf have to keep her swords so sharp? Her mind was tired with the exertion of the flight, and extremely grumpy. Her temper increased seven fold, when her tongue went numb. Her eyes widened. She couldn't feel it. She could hardly move it to swallow. WHAT WAS HAPPENING? A large portion of her concentration shifted to this problem, and once again the intrusive thought of opening her mouth just a teensy bit began weedling its way to the front.

[tenebria]

K'ar let out a low almost hissing growl as a night flying dreki sped past his nose. Nasty creatures. Useless and destructive. He shifted again on the turret, his gaze moving to the horizon. It was so much lighter... he had so little time left. But at least the night had been peaceful. A sudden northerly wind brushed up his spine and he stiffened. Having been up on these towers for so long, he knew each breeze's meaning, and this one... this one bespoke of turmoil. His jaw clenched as he shifted his gaze further towards the west, claws clenching the stone tightly. Whatever happened, he would not know until night came again.

[tenebria]

Across the nest, on the far northeastern side, two more sentinel figures stood, their eyes turned toward the glimmering ocean. A dark haired elf slid his hand down the spear he wielded, the tall weapon somehow unsuited to his muscular appearane. Dálkr shifted his weight and tapped the edge of the spear lightly against the stone parapets, the light ring resounding off the stone walls. Almost immediately an answering echo came, a bit sharper than his own. His face did not change expression as he hefted the spear and began a slow walk down the eastern wall. All was well on the northern edge, as Kivlaa's response had established. The task was not one of great excitement to him, but it was steady, reliable, and vital. To many others it was monotonous, but the silence that spread out around him, the forest gleaming in the moonlight below, all these things brought peace to the warrior's soul. His steps soon brought him to the edge, and he glanced over to see a younger guard slouching slightly against his spear. A flash of annoyance glittered in his eyes as he picked up his own pace, striding towards the hapless guard. "Sleeping on watch?" His voice was low, but quite menacing, especially in the dark. The young guard jumped and fumbled for his spear as it slipped from his grasp. Dálkr easily caught the spear, holding it for a few moments before thrusting it back towards the guard, causing him to stumble slightly. So weak. What was this new generation? A bunch of weak sunny minded individuals, that was what. "Start your patrol" he growled before spinning on his heel and moving back to his own post, his steps quickening as a lilting keening call rang out from the turret, soft enough to not cause all alarm, but enough to make his brow crease. She had spotted something.

Kivlaa shifted her tail back to her side after replying to her master, the large silver coil wrapping around the top of the strange turret. This was her home. It was quite a tidy abode for a dragon, despite the odd knick knack here and there. But at least she had been sure to not leave any bones hanging about that could attract any of those nasty scrap eating Dreki. She unfurled her wings for a quick stretch as her gaze swept over the rippling ocean that stretched to the horizon. It was such a beautiful sight... but also one that incurred a deep wistfulness in her. Her wings returned to their folded postion, and she let out a deep sigh as she paused her survey to stare across the eastern corner of the sea. It had not been to long since she herself had traversed the open waters. Her gleaming eyes seemed to penetrate the darkness as the sky grew visibly lighter in that direction. The sight of which, caused her to blink, chasing away her memories of old, and she swiftly scanned the waters again. She did not expect to find anything, so when a dark shape suddenly seemed to emerge from almost beneath the Nest, she near let out a trill of surprise, sitting up quite straighter and leaning forwards, eyes narrowed. A spray of water leapt up around the dark creature as it sped over the surface of the ocean. A glimmer of vanishing moonlight glinted against the darkness, and the refraction of the glint told her the creature's species. Dragon. Was it from the Nest? Did it have a rider? She couldn't be sure. Turning her head she let out a lilting call to her master, a light slightly uncertain warning.

[wingfeather]

Faran had patrolled his side of the wall and all was as should be, except for a few Dreki who were making their own ''patrols''. As he left he passed a stone statue of a dragon and even put out his hand subconsciously to brush against the cold figure. Quickly he strode back inside the thick walls of the Nest wards the barracks. It had been a very very long day and he was ready for some rest to refresh for what the morrow would bring.

[wingfeather]

As a general whole Telityn was having a very bad day, for one thing his entire hand had nearly been annihilated be the same toothy terror he had treated earlier, next he had a Dreki nearly set fire to his house because they thought it would be fun to sleep on it... in the middle of the day. Needless to say he was rather lucky to have a water dragon nearby, even if it meant that all his furniture was soaked. Lastly he saw the dragon with a teared wing go flying out of the Nest as if he and his rider hadn't a care in the world, he nearly stomped his feet with frustration, why couldn't people be more patient these days, could that elf not wait a little while longer until her dragon was fully healed? He sighed as these thoughts of woe circled his mind, he laid down in his still damp bed and attempted at seeping.

[wingfeather]

Tanarad's arms started aching numbly but at this point he could not let go as they were practically stuck in their position wrapped around a specially made handhold of Rygar's custom saddle. At the appearance of the sun's first rays the inky blue sea erupted with gold and calypso tints. Looking down Tanarad saw a few glints of color below the surface of the ocean, a large herd of sea kelpie were passing below them. These creatures were considered allies of the Nest of unnumbered years, but even so he felt odd whenever he saw the strange creatures. A few of them broke surface and let out high pitched whinnies in their direction, Rygar sent his own greeting to them with a strong dragon's roar. ''Rygar,'' Tanarad yelled, the dragon slowed, ''we should turn around, morning patrols will be sent out soon.'' Right the dragon answered. Switly he veered in a wide turn and began winging his way back towards the distant and very tiny peak before them. Behind them black ships were breaking the horizon.

[Chloriosus]

Morning was coming. Slowly but shurly the sky began gaining a slightly inkish blue color instead of the pitch black. Crimson breathed out sharply and angeled his wings upwards to gain more altitude. He was sure he was close to the edge of the vail. As the sky became more and more infested with small bananaish patches where the clouds were, he was relieved to see a familiar mountain that he usually passed when training with Firasko. The east slope rocky and full of builders, the west side holding a particularly disformed pine. Crimson breathed out heavily again and swallowed a large amount of poison that had begun to pool in his mouth. Finally he saw the small speck that was the nest, still a little ways off, but he had made it. He had (almost) reached his destination without dying.

[tenebria]

(this will be back in time a bit, catching up)

Dálkr's long strides brought him swiftly along the parapets, until he slowed at the northern edge, standing silently by his dragon as she glanced to him and let out a low trill, looking back over the ocean. His eyes narrowed as he gazed out. Then he saw it, a dark shadow gliding over the surface of the water. "Dragon?" he queried shortly. Kivlaa gave a light rumble of affirmation and he nodded. "Recognizable?" he added after a moment. She gave a slight hiss and shifted uncertainly. He frowned. "If they flew that direction, they shall have to return. Keep a sharp eye out, Kivlaa" he said as the dragon began to blend with the lightening horizon. Kivlaa settled on the tower edge more securely and kept her gaze trained on the glistening water as her owner continued his patrol along the border.

[tenebria]

K'ar watched the horizon, his head swiveled towards the east. All too soon the sun would be up, and he would be forced to rest. He was resigned to this. He shifted further back from the ledge. Experience told him that he did not want to be anywhere near the edge when the sun rose. Reaching his desired position, he shook his entire body out, then folded his wings, crouching and looking out over the land as he prepared for the blinding rays of sunlight. Just as the first glimmers began to shoot out from between the edges of the fortress, a glint caught his eye, and he swiveled his head, jaws opening slightly as he instinctively growled. And then the sun rose, the blinding light blasting him in the face. A distinct crackling sound filled the air around him, and then silence. The stone statue stared fiercely unseeing over the horizon, where an exhausted shadow dragon was making her last dash for home.