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[Trinn]

The man smiled widely, further pleased with the stranger. He seemed a good man. "Do not worry, there is work aplenty within the tribe. If you are any good at hunting, we could use another man there." He fell silent, considering the man's request for a name. "I was not born with a name, friend. Not many of Gladia Celesti were. All of us are ex-slaves, freed by Gianna and her noble dragon, Gladia. But I have come to call myself Marcus." He gestured towards the stranger. "And what of you?"

[Max452]

Romulus returned the man's smile with his own. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Marcus. I am glad that through your misfortune you were able to rise above and prosper." Romulus paused as he thought about Marcus' words. A tinge of pain roamed into his mind as he recalled the numerous hits and whips that stroked his back when he was a slave. His eyes wandered into his memory and after a awkward pause, he resumed his cheerful demeanor. "I answer to the name Romulus or Rom." He smiled. "And hunting is one thing that I do best. There is in fact a very nice spot I like to go for deer." He pointed to the west. "There's a meadow over there that they come to feed upon, as well as a stream, where the water is clean and pure."

[Trinn]

"Excellent! Romulus. A good name, aye?" he asked, taking in the others around Romulus. They responded with a resounding, "Aye!" then broke into laughter, dispersing from the circle. Some clapped Rom on the back, others nodded in respect. Marcus nodded back towards Gianna. "Come, I will introduce you to Gianna." Turning, he loped easily through the braken of the forest.
****

Gladia lifted his reptilian head to watch Marcus's approach. He brings the spy. she said. Gianna looked up from the sword she was inspecting. Marcus, one of Gladia Celesti's most valuable members, strode forth proudly with another young man. Gianna narrowed her eyes, taking in the newcomers features. He seems familiar she told Gladia. I would be willing to be bet I've seen him before.

It's quite possible. You've been to many towns and cities. He could have been a passerby on a street. Gianna frowned, sure that was the reason.

[Tismri]

Cameron was nearly out of breath when he found General Kell. He stood for a moment, gasping, then reported.
"Sir, a girl rode into the southern courtyard...and...she has a dragon hatchling with her! She looks as if she has been on the run from something."
~~~~~
Thursdell could hardly hold back a sneer from her face as she finally recognized the girl at Vana's own personal servant. It appeared that the king had had a little traitor in his service.
She knew that if the girl recognized her, she would be in trouble, but she was confidant in her ability to make her believe she was mistaken. She didn't spend days working on the spell on her voice for nothing.

[Max452]

Romulus laughed and smiled along with his new friends. "I would be honored to meet her." Romulus declared as he followed Marcus with ease towards Gianna. He looked at the dragon beside her...it was so huge! Awestruck, he almost bumped into Marcus when they stopped.
"Wow...hello!" Rom gave a nervous grin at the purple beast. I am a friend, mighty beast. It is certainly a wonder to meet one of your kind...I bet no one fears you... Romulus rambled in his mind as he spoke to the creature like he did with the other creatures in the forest. He glanced over at Gianna. "Hello there." He tilted his head slightly, taking in her features and unique hair color. "Have we met?" He blurted out.

[Trinn]

Gladia raised her head and snorted, not expecting to heara the stranger voice echo in her mind. She then smiled draconically. Well met, fleshling. Your compliments serve you well. her voice reverberated like the pure peel of a church bell.

Coming to Gladia's side, Gianna rested a hand on the dragon's scaly foreleg, listening to the exchange in her partners mind with the stranger. She was rather taken aback by his question, and had to think a moment before responding. "I think we must have. Your face strikes me as familiar." Marcus stepped forth then.

"Gianna, this man is Romulus. He will be joining us tonight, and aiding the hunt!" Gianna gave a reserved smile, the most she could muster when her previous thoughts had been on him, on Einar. Gladia growled, annoyed again, and Gianna cleared her head.

"Yes, thank you Marcus. You have done well." The man smiled, then turned melted into the bustling tribal members. Gianna returned her focus on Romulus. "Where are you from?" She asked, head tilted to the side.
****

Kell reached out and grabbed Cameron's forearm. "Quickly, now, take me to her." He clapped the man on the back, half push, half gesture of thanks. Cameron was a good soldier, one of General Kell's favorties. The man had a good head, and a good personality, which, for Kell, was a key ingredient to making a good soldier, and eventually a leader.

[Max452]

Romulus drew aback, surprised that a creature like her would respond so intellectually. You surprise me greater, mighty beast! I had never encountered a creature of the land that talks back! You humble me. Romulus gave a kind slight bow. Lurching his attention away from the purple dragon, Romulus continued his conversation with Gianna. He noticed a slight pain in her demeanor, but pretended not to notice. She must have her reasons as I have mine. Rom gathered. "Aye...but it drives me dumb to not think of where we may have encountered one another." He paused, hesitant on revealing his heritage. "I...I have been raised by the land when I was abused by man." Romulus declared his vague answer.

[Tismri]

Cameron ran back to the place where he had left Thursdell with the girl. He was slightly concerned when he noticed that the elf was nowhere in sight, but decided something must have called him away. He looked at the young woman lying on the ground, seemingly just starting to come out of the daze she was in when she fell. The aquamarine dragon was nudging her slightly, apparently trying to awaken her. He tried to draw near again, but the dragon growled. It apparently didn't trust anyone at the moment.

[Trinn]

"Ahhh," Gianna said, shifting her weight to one leg, "A former slave?" Removing the hand that rested on Gladia, Gianna unconsciously reached behind her back and rubbed the spot where her slave marking scarred her skin. "Perhaps we worked in the same estate?" she offered, eyes roving to Rom's shoulder. "Do you have a mark?" she asked, her voice turning almost angry. Branding human beings was a discusting trade.
****

Conscious of the hatchling's hostility to Cameron, General Kell approached the fallen rider slowly. "Hello, little fella, I won't hurt your rider. " He knelt down a foot from the ride, holding his hands out by his sides in peace. "I want to help." He said carefully, opening his mind to the young ones.

[Tismri]

The dragon squeeked a little at the contact that was not her Rider's. She crawled away for a moment, but then understood that the man meant her and her Rider no harm. Then she let him into her mind, and naturally she flooded his mind with serene feelings and images, but stayed protectively next to her Rider.
Diana stirred a little and reached out to feel the dragon next to her. She smiled a little, but then remembered that she had been riding for her life. She sat up as quickly as he weakened state would allow, looking around herself to see if Vana was right behind her. She was grateful to see that she was not. She noticed a kindly-looking man leaning near her and gave a weak smile.
"Hello," she managed.

[Trinn]

At the smight of the woman's smile, General Kell gave a booming laugh, part relief, and part astonishment at the beautiful images the little dragon sent to him. "Greetings to you as well, argetlam. You've had quite the journey it would seem. Come, let me help you up. Nothing a hot meal and some sleep won't fix." William Kell turned to Cameron. "You've done well, soldier. I've a more modest task for you now. Go to the cooks and let them know we have a hungry rider, and dragon. Then, secure a room for our guest." He clapped the good man on the shoulder, then refocused upon the weak rider. "Come on, now," he said gently, holding a callused hand out to her.

[Max452]

Romulus made a small sad smile. "A past that I would rather forget, and yet...it is still branded into my memory." He turned towards his shoulder and lifted the sleeve, revealing the two etched swords crossed together. "Do you recognize the brand of hatred?" He asked her, his memory starting to recover those which he did not wish to...but her image kept reflecting itself within them.

[Tismri]

Cameron saluted, then went to do his task. Diana glanced up at the man before her, taking his hand a little reluctantly. She still thought this might be some sort of trap. Serenity gently took off and landed on her shoulder. The former servant looked around herself, then back at the man who she concluded was a high-ranking soldier, who was not clothed in the armor of Galbatorix.
"Am I...Are you a member of the Varden?" she asked hopefully.

[Trinn]

The mark on Rom's shoulder was exactly like hers. Identical. She smiled bitterly. "Aye, I know that mark well. It seems we worked at the same estate, for the same hated family." Her smile then turned genuine. "You escaped! I'm so happy you were able to." She leaned in closer and raised an eyebrow. "I'm going back there soon. To the place where we were but dogs. I'm going back to free those I left behind."
*****

Again, Kell laughed. "My girl, you are standing in the main hive of all varden activity. Welcome to Surda, and welcome the Varden. You've made the journey, of which you should be proud." He placed an arm around her shoulders in a fatherly gesture, careful of the little dragon, to give her more support. "Come, I'll take you to the kitchens. We can talk then." He directed her towards the shade of the castle.

[Max452]

Rom gave Gianna a soft smile. "It appears so. I escaped about 7 or 8 years ago....they didn't take to my liking." he smirked. "You're freeing them?" He thought for a moment, his eyes glancing to the side as he did. He didn't like the idea of her going back to that hateful place, but than again, she was more powerful than any former slave. And yet...that was the past...he had come to some terms with his past. Then again...to give the same freedom he gained to those he used to call friends appealed to him...and maybe even repay the favor to the Lord that enslaved him... "I would like to join you." He finally said. "If I can?" He looked at her carefully.