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Post by Max452 on Nov 20, 2008 0:05:33 GMT -5
Einar's eyes reflected the dancing flames as he sat, mesmerized by his own thoughts and memories. Positioned against Stigandr's belly, he stared out at the stars, remembering the past and the things he could no longer have.
Unshaven with his facial hairs under his nose and around his lips and chin, forming a small beard,Einar now sported an unkempt appearance, brought upon mild insanity and hardship.
Months passed as he recalled his position as a deadly assassin for the King, whom he once called Father, towards his self-exiled predicament.
Einar sighed as he gazed around the foliage that he now called home. The Spine was the only place where he could now find some memento of peace...it was where they first met....
He threw a piece of wood into the fire, pained at the idea of thinking of her.
Adjusting himself, he laid beside his dragon, attempting to get some sleep for the night. His eyes stared out into the dark-lit sky, knowing that something was calling out to him...but to what...he didn't know.
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Post by linea on Nov 20, 2008 0:19:50 GMT -5
Salian stumbled through the trees, cursing Torlynden under his breath. "Disappeared again, but where?" he muttered, rubbing his sore leg, the cause of his awkward movement. And the scarce light from the heavens did not aid him.
He continued onward, trying to favor his injured led as best as he could. As he went on, he saw the light of a fire from between the trees. Not caring about who it was, for he felt the scab on his leg cracking, he stumbled toward it. After several minutes of agonized walking, he came across a clearing.
Within it was a massive dragon and his Rider next to a bright fire.
Salian tried to stop his movement forward, but tripped, landing hard on his sore knee. "Argh!" he cried. Dimly, as from a far distance, he felt Torlynden's concern, but payed it no heed. He tried to stand, but fell forward again. His pant leg was shredded from his fall, and the scab was exuding blood again.
"Oi!" he called to the other Rider. "Could you help me, please?"
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Post by Max452 on Nov 20, 2008 0:33:01 GMT -5
Einar's ears perked up when he hears movement not far off from his campsite. Sitting up quickly and grabbing one of his short swords, Einar stared as a man stumbled into his presence. (He no longer wore his mask, for his beard changed his appearance unless someone who knew him took a closer look; the burnt scares on his left side gives him away)
Stigandr awoke from his sleep and turned his neck and eyes at the oncoming individual.
He appears hurt, Einar.
Einar nodded but would make no move until he could trust the man. He approached the stumbling, loud man quietly, his blade twirling around his fingers.
"Depends, are you a friend or foe?" Einar called out, several feet away from the man, and noting that he was bleeding profusely from his leg.
Einar...he is wounded....help him.
I haven't survived this long from uncautious charity.
No...but you have made one great friend from it. Perhaps you may make another?
Einar's heart skipped, thinking of Gianna. He pushed the throbbing pain aside and paid closer attention to his "new guest", awaiting his answer.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 20, 2008 16:08:03 GMT -5
Tismri rode through the Spine upon Ismrolde's back. The Rider was thinking of the Fall of the Riders, which often occuped her thoughts. The large copper dragon landed on a mountain, crushing a few trees to make room for her bulk. Tismri dismounted. She thought she had heard someone call out.
Be careful, Tismri, Ismrolde told her, The land is not a friendly as it used to be.
I know, Tismri said, But if someone needs help, I still wish to give it. She walked until she spied a silver dragon sitting in the trees.
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Post by linea on Nov 20, 2008 17:15:57 GMT -5
The question temporarily confused Salian as pain made the world swim before his eyes. When he was able to process it, it pained him to think of caution. "I-I do not mean you or your dragon any harm," he said in the Ancient Language. "Please help me," he moaned in common speech. He fell onto his side and lay gasping in pain.
*****************
Many miles farther south in The Spine, Torlynden lifted his head from his feast. The storm-gray dragon had been gorging again, his dark powers rising. His powers had grown so much greater in the past couple of years that his extraordinary hunger for death and actual meat was hard to fill. He had had to leave Salian behind on this gorging trip, for he knew how much Salian detested his behavior.
And now, the only thing that could stop his gorging was the voice of the only person he cared about. . . . . .
Salian.
He lifted his gray snout to the moon as darkness swirled about him. The dark beings that has cursed him even before his birth had given him a dangerous weapon.
He scented the breeze, which blew from the north. He is bleeding again.
With a terrible roar, he spread his wings, knocking some young trees down, and took flight, leaving his feast to the wolves. With a low growl he angled north, toward the partner-of-his-heart.
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Post by Max452 on Nov 20, 2008 18:18:21 GMT -5
Upon hearing the man's final cry for help, Einar's human side took over as he rushed to help the man. Carrying him by the arm and shoulder, he brought the man close to the fire. Looking the wound carefully, Einar hovered his hand over it. "Waise Heil" He muttered and his silver ignasia ignited as it bound the flesh and muscles in the man's leg back together. It took little energy from him once he was done. Placing a wool blanket over the man, for he was unconscious still, Einar placed a pot over the fire to make some stew, in case the man awoke.
You did a noble thing, Einar Stigandr said, as he watched over the stranger.
Perhaps....but we shall see his intentions in due time.
Have you lost all faith and trust, my Rider?
Einar didn't respond, instead he placed some potatoes into the stew and stirred.
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Post by linea on Nov 20, 2008 18:25:06 GMT -5
Salian awoke only a minute or two after his leg was healed. He started up, the blanket falling forward. He blinked slowly, trying to clear his blurred vision. When sight was restored, he looked for the Rider of the large silver dragon. Espying him, he cleared his throat. "Thank you," he said dryly. "I didn't have the energy to heal it myself." For all the pain in his leg was gone, and he knew that healing could only have taken that away.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 20, 2008 18:26:25 GMT -5
Tismri walked slowly toward the silver dragon. He was obviously much younger than Ismrolde, but was still of a good size. He seemed to be looking at someone on the other side of him. She walked around, as softly as any elf, and saw two men there. One was unconscious, while the other was tending to a stew over he fire.
"Greetings, Rider," she said in a soft voice as she walked forward.
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Post by Max452 on Nov 20, 2008 18:33:22 GMT -5
Stigandr stared down at the man, curious about him; its been awhile since they encountered anyone here in the Spine.
Einar turned from his stew when he heard the man stir. "Don't mention it." He grabbed a bowl and poured some stew into it, and handed it to the man. "Here. Eat. You'll be fine within the hour." As he handed it to the man, he noticed the gedwey ignasia on the man's hand. "You're a rider." He eyed him with more caution than before.
Just as he handed the bowl to the man, Einar's head snapped up as he heard another voice...and female voice.
Stigandr got to his feet, sensing something old and powerful was before them. Careful Einar... Stigandr's silver eyes never left the newcomer.
Einar placed his hand on the hilt of his sword as he watched the female walk towards them. "Greetings, and who might you be?" His lethal eyes watched and accessed the woman, wondering what she wanted and how big of a threat she was.
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Post by linea on Nov 20, 2008 18:41:53 GMT -5
Salian took the bowl from him with a grateful smile. He brought the bowl to his dry lips and drank some. It was warm, and delicious after his long haul through the forest. The thought brought pangs to his chest. Torlynden. . . . .
"You're a rider," the man said.
Salian's face turned into its customary mask. "As are you."
He, too, felt the ancient presence. If only I had my spear. But Torl had it, strapped to his back with Sal's shield. Ah well, I can't fight anyway.
Then, from the depths of his mind, and dark, timbre, voice spoke. I come.
Salian did not know whether to be glad. . . . .
Or afraid.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 20, 2008 20:38:07 GMT -5
Tismri softly approached the two men, her reddish-gold hair shining in the firelight. Her green eyes sparkled.
"I am Tismri," she stated, "Rider of Ismrolde. Might I ask for the names of you two?" Her eyes lit upon the dragon.
"Atra esterni ono thelduin, skulblaka," she told him, touching her first two fingers to her lips and twisting her hand over her sternum. From a way behind her, a loud crashing was heard. Soon, an enourmous copper dragon came in sight. Compared with her, the silver one appeared no larger than a hatchling. Ismrolde thrusted her head next to Tismri, taking up more than half the space of the clearing with the size of her head.
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Post by Max452 on Nov 20, 2008 20:52:08 GMT -5
Stigandr's eyes glistened as Tismri announced who she was. I am Stigandr He bowed his head, knowing that this Rider was of old. His eyes went wide when he saw a copper dragon come forth; he was HUGE!
Einar was stunned to see the large dragon, and judging by the dragon's side, he knew that this Rider was not ordinary. "I am Einar." He told Tismri. "Rider of Stigandr." He was in disbelief that this woman was older than she appeared to be...
"Might I ask your purpose here?" His eyes looked at the copper dragon and than back at Tismri.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 20, 2008 21:02:40 GMT -5
Tismri walked closer to the two men. Her copper cloak swept to one side, revealing her matching Rider's sword, Mor'ranr, which Rhunon had made for her. She sat next to the fire, across from Einar.
"Well met, Einar and Stigandr," she told them, "To put our presence here simply, we were simply walking through the Spine together. It is one of the few places that have not changed since last we were here." She gazed up at the stars in the sky, in deep thought, saying no more for the moment.
Ismrolde looked settled herself down, knocking down more than a few trees as she moved. She kept her eyes upon Stigandr. She, too, was silent for a long while. Then, speaking only to the silver dragon, she said, You love him, don't you?
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Post by Max452 on Nov 20, 2008 21:09:21 GMT -5
Einar watched Tismri closely, and her actions seemed to pang him more than her figure; she reminded him too much of Gianna. "Well met." He whispered. "Aye. It is the only place that I find peace." He glanced at his other guest, who seemed to be silent at the moment, before turning back to Tismri. "I have little to offer you, but the stew is purely vegetables and potatoes, if you are hungry. And for your dragon," he inclined his head, "Stigandr knows an area where deer and larger game are available."
Stigandr just eyed the copper dragon as it stared at him. He couldn't get over her size! And to startled him more was her question.
Aye. He is my Rider and my friend. He responded quietly, one eye turned to look at Einar, feeling his pain and agony.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 20, 2008 21:23:55 GMT -5
Tismri crossed her legs and stared into the fire. She heard Einar's offer.
"I accept your offer of stew. I have had nothing to eat since sunrise this morning. Lack of meat does not disturb me. I have refused to eat the flesh of animals since I began to train under Vrael. As for Ismrolde,
I would be glad to hunt with Stigandr, the copper dragon finished the sentence, It's been a long time
"since she has had"
the pleasure of hunting in the Spine. She rose and a copper eye gleamed in the firelight.
And hunting will
"give both us and them"
a chance to talk. Ismrolde stood and stretched her full length, which ended more than half a mile in the distance. She looked at Stigandr.
Shall we go? she asked.
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