Wyrda

[Trinn]

A dragon? Gianna had heard of such things before, but she had assumed the creatures were just myth and legend, merely fables. Yet now one was standing before her, about to pounce and devour. Suddenly, a voice boomed within her head, causing her to jump in fright. There was no doubt who it came from. Gianna's large eyes grew larger, and she attempted to back up a few feet. Her body flinched when Einar shouted, the sound reverberating through the air and her skull. She looked at Einar, amazed that he was so bold with such a huge, carnivorous creature. Incredibly, his efforts to halt the dragon, Stgandr, worked. Again, the dragon's voice was in her mind. It was like the sound of a waterful, but more fluid and less chaotic.

Gianna's breathing began to return to normal as Stigandr moved back. Her eyes traveled to Einar. He was truly a lifesaver. Taking a step forward, Gianna approached him cautiously, a thought forming in her mind. As well as hearing of dragons, she had also heard of dragon riders. Was it possible that Einar was one of those legends? When she drew near him, Gianna hesitantly, and very cautiously, placed a hand on his arm. Her eyes flicked back to Stigandr. "Is he, yours?" she asked, rather choppily. Speaking was not one of her strong points.

[Max452]

Einar fumed as he watched Stigandr's tail whisk back and forth.

I belong to no one![i/] Stigandr whipped his body around to face Gianna. Tell her that! He made a low growl and blew out some smoke from his nostrils.

Einar rolled his eyes. "Always the dramatic one..." He tensed slightly as Gianna's hand made contact with his arm. "Um..no...its more like we are one." He explained to her. "Or in simpler terms, we are partners; we share each others thoughts." He noticed her eyes looked weary when they looked at Stigandr. "Do not fear from him. He's just being stubborn."

I am not! Stigandr stretched his neck over to them, and with his right silver eye looked at Gianna closely. She's a small one. No meat on her at all... He blinked. What's so special about her? Huh?

Einar smirked. "Are you jealous?"

What? Of a human!? NO! He flicked his head up like a defiant child. I'm going to bed! And with that he sauntered of to the farthest side of camp.

Einar raised an eyebrow and shook his head.
"Forgive him, he is usually more polite." He watched as his dragon curled up in a ball and stuck his tongue out at him with a defiant wisp.

[Trinn]

At the close scrutiny of Stigandr, Gianna leaned back, trying to put more space between them. The dragon was one creature she wanted to keep a few feet distance from. Yet with Einar close, her fear of the giant beast was not as profound. She even felt comforted. The smoke that trailed from Stigandr's nostrils blew over to Gianna, and she noted the way it smelled of smoldering coals.

"Oh. That is... odd." She commented to Einar in respects to his bond with Stigandr. For Gianna, it was hard for her to detect that the silver beast was annoyed with her, but at the agitated flick of his tail, she began to catch on. Also, he must have inteligent thoughts, if he shared them with Einar. Letting go of Einar's arm, she turned to face Stigandr. "Sorry, Sti-gandr," she stuttered out his name, afraid he might become more angry if she said it. With a hand, she swept back a stray strand of red hair that had fallen in her face. Unbidden, a very small smirk came to her lips. The thought of this dragon being jealous was ludicrous. Her eyes traveled back to Einar. "He is very beautiful," she said, glancing back at his silver scales. Now that the majority of her fear had sapped away, Gianna took note of the sparkle the firelight cast upon his scales. At times the dragon's armor-like skin seemed to flare with light, sending out thousands of tiny, incadescent moonbeams. She was nearly hyponotized by the sight.

[Max452]

Einar watched Gianna's movements carefully, as he was trained to do whenever he was around others. He noted her gestures and expressions, compiling them into memory out of habit rather than will. He watched as she became more relaxed around Stigandr, yet there was still some apprehension, which of course, was understandable.

"I suppose our relationship is...," he tried to think of a way to describe it, but was dubious on explaining the mechanics of it, "...rather unique." He smiled a little as she began complimenting Stigandr. He ought to like that He was right.

Stigandr lifted his head when he heard Gianna's comments about it. Ah! So she is wise! His eyes brightened. Tell her she is forgiven and that I like her!

Einar smirked. Always a sucker for flattery.
Well, if I received any from you, I wouldn't complain so much. He retorted.

Einar rolled his eyes and went on to tell Gianna what Stigandr said.

[Trinn]

Surprised by Stigandr's change of mood, Gianna couldn't help but smile a little wider. It was amazing to think she had actually appeased a dragon. Also, it was amazing he could indeed speak. Her smile faded as she pondered how the dragon actually spoke. He hadn't moved his mouth, so how else could it have been done? She glanced at Einar. He had been communicating with the dragon without moving his mouth as well. Then a thought struck her, absurd, but also the only explanation. Stigandr and Einar were communicating mentally, somehow. After all, hadn't she heard the voice of the dragon earlier?

"So you speak together, in your head?" she asked Einar, tapping her own skull. Gianna already knew the answer, but she wanted to be sure she was correct. Before, she had never really beleived in magical affairs, such as dragons', but now, everything was different. She found it amazing that Stigandr could actually get himself into the sky. Gianna would have assumed his scales would weigh him down too much, or just the weight of his body alone. He was truly magnificent.

[Max452]

Einar couldn't help laughing. It never occurred to him that his mental communications with his dragon was a rare event.
"Yes. We possess a mental relationship; we can talk to each other as well as send each other images." He elaborated.

Einar couldn't help to notice the rags Gianna wore, which brought his mind back to the issue that she was a slave, not only just a slave, a runaway at that. By helping her, he would be considered a ally and that was punishable in a variety of ways, such was the law created. A law created by his father, a part of him stated. No, a law created by fat noblemen who had nothing better to do but enslave others, his mind reasoned. His father had told him that it was necessary to appease the nobleman right now because they controlled the market, but with the rise of Dragon Riders, he could change that.

He mused on that idea. I can change things because I am a dragon rider. He would change this inhumane law and he would do so by purchasing Gianna from her noblemen and then freeing her. Perhaps, he could even convince his father in letting her touch the eggs, maybe she would become a Rider, and help them in changing the Empire into a better country! He got excited on the idea.

And what if that fails? Stigandr's voice popped into his head.
It will not. She will be freed.
Have you grown attached to this woman? Stigandr asked in a half teasing, half serious accusation.
No...I just don't like the idea of slaves. Besides, if an egg doesn't hatch, we can find a place for her...
Now who is being childish?

Einar frowned. I am not...I just think there's something special about her...Fate has brought her to us... He defended himself, but didn't convince Stigandr at all.
Create whatever excuse you want.
If we keep her around, I'm sure you would get more compliments. Einar smirked, knowing he hit his target.

As predicted, Stigandr became pleased with the idea. Excellent idea! We can keep her!
You make it sound as if she was an animal I found...
Stigandr laughed, but was smart enough not to address the comment. It's time to sleep. We have much ahead of us tomorrow - if you intend on freeing her and going back home.
Einar smiled and nodded.

"It has been decided, by Stigandr and I, to return you to your Master. Einar smiled, knowing how that sounded at first, but continued without a pause. "We plan on purchasing you from him, and freeing you. Are you pleased with this idea?" He asked.

[Trinn]

Gianna smiled again, pleased that she had indeed been correct. She watched, interested, as it seemed that Einar and Stigandr were conversing again. As they spoke with each other, she walked over to the log she had vacated in her fright of Stigandr and reclaimed her seat. Catching sight of some fruit that was left over, Gianna hastily reached out and grabed a grape. When taking the food, she had felt a tingling of apprehension. It was still hard for her to be so bold about such things. As she swallowed the sweet fruit, Einar began speaking again.

Her face fell at his first words, and her stomach began to burn with anxiety. Yet she was immediately relieved when the rider countinued speaking. His idea was excellent. A peaceful way to resolve her freedom. "Yes." She smiled widely, her mind turning over thoughts of her free future. She could do anything, go anywhere, follow whatever desire struck her. Her eyes traveled down to the shabby garb that covered her. She could finally wear something decent. The green sash that wound around her waist caused Gianna to frown. With fumbling fingers, she untied the hated item and held it out to Einar. "This marks me, as well as the brand." She fought to keep her voice even, not subservant. If she were to be free, it was time to start acting like it. "Please, take it. I don't care what you do with it, but I can't stand the sight of it any longer."

[Max452]

Einar nodded as he took the sash from her.
"I can do what I can to help burn that life from your memory." He looked at the sash with distaste and threw it into the fire. "Sadly, I can not rid you of that despicable mark you wear." He had thought about healing it, but it probably would not work, considering that it was an old wound and it had "healed" already. Perhaps he could try mixing in a few of the words in the Ancient Language to make the skin grow back, or make the mark unseen, but he dared not try it on Gianna until he was absolutely sure it would work.

In the meantime, he thought about whether or not she would want to come with him after he freed her. True, he had developed some type of liking to her, which motivated him for her to travel with him, but also that she had seen his face. His face was the only thing many did not know about him, and he would prefer it to be kept in that condition. It was an advantage he had on his enemies, especially if he was on a long term mission.

Ask her already, you numbskull. Stigandr yawned from his resting spot.

What if she says no?

Stigandr rolled his eyes and pressed the subject again. ASK HER!

Einar grinned sheepishly as he retook his seat on the log. It was rather odd, this feeling that he was now encountering. He had never felt this powerless since he was training as a young boy. The feeling of being rejected and dismissed for something better. He hesitated to ask, but with Stigandr's encouragement, encouragement that sounded humored, he finally spat out his question.

"Uh, after you are free...well, Stigandr and I, well, mostly myself, was wondering...if you would like to accompany us back to my Father's home. He is very powerful, and perhaps, with his permission, you can learn and gain knowledge of the world, even, maybe, become a Dragon Rider, like myself..." He squirmed worried that she may not like the idea, "or maybe become skilled in something else..." He combed his fingers through his hair rather nervously.

Stigandr could not help but laugh to himself. You may be a deadly assassin on the surface, but you are still a man underneath. He mused to himself, taking an extra precaution to not let Einar hear his thoughts.

[Trinn]

As the sash fell into the flames, Gianna felt a profound emotion, a true sense of freedom. The fire licked the edges of the green silk, almost like a caress, the arms of death embracing it's victim. She wanted to watch the sash burn until it was nothing more then gray ash, however, Einar was speaking. At the sound of his voice, she turned to look at him.

Gianna watched, a little amused, as the rider said what he wanted to say. He seemed to be the one having trouble speaking now. When he had finished, Gianna considered his words. A part of her just wanted to run off and be alone forever, where she wouldn't have to see the face of another person ever again. Yet, the majority of her being wanted to stay with Einar, and do as he suggested, discover more of the world and become more self sufficient. She glanced at Stigandr. If she were a rider, there would always be a dragon to protect her from danger. The idea was exciting. Her only hope was that Einar's father wasn't fond of keeping slaves.

Gianna smiled when she answered Einar. "I cannot refuse your offer. I will go with you." She eyed Stigandr. "What is it like, flying with him?" Dragon's intrigued her, now that she was aware they actually existed.

OOC: I think I may make Gianna a neutral rider. There aren't many of them on the site, so I think it will work out. She just has to find an egg in the wild.

[Max452]

OCC: Sounds fine with me!

Einar tried to hide his overjoyed smile but to no avail. Glad that Gianna took his offer he began to tell her about dragons and about being a dragon rider.
"It's amazing!" His heart jumped to his throat as he explained his first flight. "At first, I was fearful, I mean, if man was meant to fly, he would have wings!" He laughed. "But it is incredible to soar among the clouds as if you are one with them! Well, atleast once you get use to it. The butterflies in your stomach tend to come and go. I still have trouble getting use to the feeling, seeing that Stigandr and I have only been together for a few months. But thanks to my Father, he is able to grow three times as fast!"

One experience that I refuse to do again. Stigandr snarled.

[Trinn]

Einar was obviously passionate about being a rider, and Gianna was glad to see him so happy. She was caught up in his telling, amazed that Stigandr was only a few months old. He was so large, it was impossible to think of him as young. Whoever Einar's father was, he surly was a powerful person, full of magic. Gianna's thought's turned to flying. The notion of soaring through the sky sent a brief flutter of nervs through her stomach, but it was balanced out with a tingle of anticipation. Gianna had never been much higher than the third story of a home.

"It is hard to imagine Stigandr ever being small. Are his mother and father bonded with riders as well?" Gianna was unaware of the unique prinicpals of a dragon. She assumed that they were born, as mammals were, rather than being in an egg. If she would have given it much thought, she might have realized that since Stigandr resembled reptilian traits, he would have been born in an egg. Yet she was too tired to think it through, and so didn't bother.

[Max452]

Einar paused, unsure how to answer the question. Stigandr never asked about his parents before and it had only passed in Einar's mind once and awhile.

Stigandr stared at Einar for a moment, intrigued on what he was going to say.

"Well, I don't think Stigandr's parents are bonded. We really don't know. Dragons come to life through eggs. They hatch when they feel that they have meet their destined Riders, or if they feel it is time to enter the world. I have not known many wild dragons though." He considered the thought. "But I am sure they are out there, I mean, where else could Stigandr come from?" He made a thoughtful smile.

[Trinn]

Gianna blushed with embarrassment. "Oh. Of course." She looked at Stigandr, wondering how long he had had to wait in his egg before meeting Einar. As she pondered about dragons and eggs, she remembered something she had seen in the woods while she had been running from the guards. She remembered the glint it had cast in the dying sunlight, almost like a jewel buried in the dirt. Of course, there had been no time to stop and examine it further, but Gianna was certain there had been an egg quality about it. She posed the question in her mind to Einar.

"So, the dragon eggs. They must be very beautiful?"

[Max452]

A sobering mood came upon Einar as he recalled when he looked upon a dragon egg for the first time when he was fifteen. He was in the Hatchery in the castle staring at two beautiful, colorful, and extraordinary eggs. The one that caught his eye the most was the green egg with its dark green veins coursing throughout and around. When Galbatorix presented him with it, excitement rushed through him as he touched and caressed it. He had hoped that the egg would hatch, but after being with it for two weeks and nothing happened, dismay and anger fell upon him. He had wanted a dragon to hatch out of the jewel egg. He also recalled Galbatorix being very angry and disappointed with him afterwards, to a point that they would not speak to each other for weeks.

That was when he decided to serve his father through other means. If he could not be a Dragon Rider, he was not going to be useless. He used his skills and became faster and stronger than his father's best men, hoping that his Father would no longer be disappointed. Seeing his growth, he was then appointed as a member of the Black Hand for a time, taught their magic and then sent off to become the assassin he now was.

And after that, he encountered the silver egg that reflected and shone the yellow sun off its surface. Einar smiled as he remembered when Stigandr hatched for him and the silvery membrane that broke through for the first time out of its egg.

"They are." He continued in his quiet tone. "Like nothing you've ever seen. It appears to be a priceless rock to the untrained eye, for its beauty is unmatched by anything. Oh, I wish you could see one. How it reflects the sun or how its color shimmers across when place by a stream. Or how it dances and sparkles in the candlelight...It truly puts the most valuable gems and jewels to shame....

[Trinn]

At his description, Gianna sat a bit straighter. What he described sound so familiar, she was now positive that she had indeed seen one. In her excitement, she spoke in a rush. "I saw one!" Her hands gripped the edge of the log they were using as a bench. "While I was running from my master, I saw one in the woods." She pointed vaguely behind her, towards the direction she had come from. Her green eyes shone with the excitement she felt while her heart beat a little faster. What a rare thing it must be to find a dragon egg. She wondered if rich people had them sitting on their mantles at home, oblivious to the true nature of such a beautiful treasure. The smile spread across her face slipped when she thought of the guards that had been pursuing her. What if they found the egg? The thought struck a spur of fear in her stomach.