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Post by Trinn on Mar 2, 2009 21:27:50 GMT -5
Elaine nodded, striding over to Eridor. She unhooked her fur-lined cloak from his talon, then swung the garment around her shoulders, reclasping the brooch. Using Eridor's left elbow, she used it as a stepping stone to the saddle. Once mounted and secure, she looked over to Einar. "Whenever we return, I'll show you around the rest of the castle." Glancing once more at Tenal Ka, Elaine gave her a nodd of recognition, then grasped one of Eridor's thick neck spikes. Raising his dark wings, Stormwing crouched, then launched into the sky. People below clutched their weapons closer in the gales of wind the dragon's wings created.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 2, 2009 23:10:01 GMT -5
Einar nodded. "I would like that very much, Elaine." He told her before she took off with Eridor. Nimbly, Einar hopped onto Stigandr's hind leg, and flipped himself into the saddle. I apologize for not letting you rest, my friend. Einar patted Stigandr's silver neck.
It's all right. I understand. I would like to know who is behind this resistance as well. With that, Stigandr bent his hind legs and launched himself into the air with ease. Rising upwards, Einar and Stigandr met Elaine and Eridor in the air.
"Which direction do you think they're located at?" Einar asked, his eyes scanning the distance.
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Post by Trinn on Mar 3, 2009 12:27:01 GMT -5
Glancing east and west, Elaine took in the distant horizon, considering Einar's question. "Mainly from the north, more northwest. The northeast is nothing but Haddarac, maybe a few villages." A cold wind blew across her, and Elaine stopped speaking for a moment to endure the chill. Once it passed, she shouted to Einar, "We should head to Cithri, a town near Surda's border. From there its only a short way to the border." How does that sound, Eridor.
I think you have planned well. Flying quickly, we should reach Cithri in a few days, four at most. Of course, Stigandr has just come from a long trek across the empire. No doubt we will need to stop for the night. Elaine nodded. "What say you?" She asked Einar.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 3, 2009 16:29:26 GMT -5
Einar listened to Elaine's suggestion and agreed. "Aye. It sounds like a good plan. It would take about three days to get there." He paused, considering Stigandr's strength. "Perhaps four...I don't want to push Stigandr."
I'll be fine! Stigandr huffed. I'm a lot stronger than you think I am. He allowed Elaine and Eridor to hear is protest. We will press on. We need to solve this mystery fast in order to determine the intentions of this new group. The faster we know, the better we can figure out our options against the false-king - he is moving quickly, so we must hurry. Stigandr flicked his tongue out.
Einar let out a dejected sigh. "Stubborn as always, but you have a point. But you are not the only dragon we must consider though." He glanced at Eridor.
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Post by Trinn on Mar 3, 2009 16:50:03 GMT -5
Eridor huffed, hearing Einar's words. I can keep up with silver-scales. he said to all. Elaine smiled. "Then it is settled. We fly far and we fly fast." Eridor roared in agreement, then pumped his wings down hard, launching himself towards the northwest. The wind created a torrent that allowed no room for speech. As such, Elaine gently extended a tendril of thought to Einar. If you need to stop, just let Stigandr give a roar. In the varden, when riders travel together, that is how we communicate. Our voices cannot carry through the wind, but the dragons can.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 3, 2009 17:26:10 GMT -5
Einar couldn't help but to grin at Eridor's words. "We fly fast." He nodded in agreement and lurched unexpectedly when Stigandr bolted after Eridor. Oy. Careful Stigandr! Einar grimaced at the lunge.
The dragon let out a roar of delight as he matched Eridor's speed with ease. Aye. I will let you know. Einar responded back to Elaine with a slight grimace.
OOC: Now I couldn't help myself. LOL.
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Post by Trinn on Mar 3, 2009 18:30:34 GMT -5
OOC: hahaha. Nice.
Hunkering low in the saddle, Elaine settled in for the long ride. The hood of her cloak was fastened around her face, keeping the chill winter winds away. Eridor hummed as he flew, revelling in the journey. You seem smug. she said, a smirk on her lips.
Just happy to get away from Abernon. Elaine couldn't argue with him about that. She too was glad to finally have a task other than guard duty. As they flew, she cast frequent glances at Stigandr and Einar. How odd it was that an enemy could suddenly be an alli. How odd that they were flying together peacefully rather than fighting to the death. These thoughts kept her busy until nightfall. By then, they were halfway to Lithgow. Eridor continued flying, content to keep the same pace for the night.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 3, 2009 19:15:23 GMT -5
Einar closed his eyes as they kept a steady pace. They flew for what seemed for an eternity for Einar - he desperately wanted to meet this proclaim leader of Gladia Celesti. With the steady pace, the cold chilled air was constant and in time, made Einar's face numb that he was no longer bothered by it. Stigandr's breathing was like a slow lullaby as they moved towards their destination. Within minutes he drifted off into sleep, but it was not a peaceful one.
Memories of those he slaughtered haunted him once again. Finally, an image of Tyr popped into his mind.
Smirking, Tyr laughed at him. I win at last, Einar! He shouted with glee as he laughed at him. She'll never be yours! Never! He cackled. Einar shouted back at Tyr, but his words were garbled and incoherent.
Peace, Einar...peace... Stigandr's voice chimed in as he sent peaceful images and evaporated the nightmare.
Einar settled slightly, but his mind was of unease - he longed for her. And then, an image of Gianna appeared before him. She appeared to be sitting down by a fire...talking and laughing with someone. His perspective slowly drew closer to her, like a vision, he saw her face and longed to reach out to her.
"Gianna..." He whispered both in the dream and in the real world.
Einar jolted upwards, coming back to reality and away from the land of dreams. Since Gianna's death, memories of the men he killed between then and now haunted him...and her face especially. He always felt closer to her in his dreams, as if she was right in front of him. Sometimes it looked like she was just flying and others she was fighting...but all the time, he preferred the dreams than the reality he would face when he awoke. He cleared his throat as he watched Eridor's tail flicker in front of him. Where are we? He blinked trying to regain his awareness.
We are near Lithgow...my Rider. Stigandr responded in a somber voice. Einar nodded, wondering what would happen when they met the leader of Gladia Celesti.
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Post by Trinn on Mar 3, 2009 21:44:48 GMT -5
OOC: Nice post!
A ray of sunlight carressed Elaine's face, warming the cheek it touched. Near midnight, she had dozed off in the saddle, a dreamless sleep. There was nothing to dream about, except maybe the end of the war. Elaine found herself thinking this as she awoke, staring indirectly at the slow rising sun. She wondered if it meant her life was boring, just a ritual of war, of going to bed, waking up, and repeating the day as it had been yesterday. A frown found itself on her face. Hearing her thoughts, Eridor growled.
Many people do not dream. That does not mean you have no importance, or that your life is lacking. Your a rider. You are one of the most important people in Alagaesia.
Comforted by Eridor's consolation, Elaine shook herself and pushed back the gloomy thoughts.
Thanks. How are you doing?
Fine. Miday we should take a quick break. Twisting in the saddle, Elaine looked back at Einar. Seeing he was awake, she smiled and waved, then turned back around.
---
An hour later, they passed above the city of Lithgow. Elaine looked over Eridor's shoulder at the waking city. People ambled along the dirt streets, some carrying basketts, others bags slung over their shoulders. Children ran around legs, laughing giddily as they played games of tag. None looked up, at the dragons that, from their height, would be nothing more than eagles. Elaine shifted in the saddle, then faced forward again.
----
When the sun was high in the sky, Eridor began his decent. He dipped forward, angling his wings down. In a few minutes, he racked his wings, slowing his flight, and landed on all fours, running a short distance to slow his momentum. The gray dragon tossed his head and stretched his wings. Elaine patted his thick neck firmly. A good flight. she told him.
A good flight. he repeated in agreement. Elaine deftly unbuckled her legs from the saddle straps, then slid off Eridor's back. Her legs felt weak and unsteady on solid ground after the long flight. Stretching, she examined her surroundings. They were on a plain, the grass almost knee high. There were a few scattered trees, mostly pines. A good place for dragons, she thought, considering the open ground.
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Post by Max452 on Mar 3, 2009 22:36:12 GMT -5
OOC: Why thank you! lol
After that dream, Einar found that he couldn't go back to it - despite his persistence. Am I going insane...to want...to dream just about her? Einar asked Stigandr as dawn began to rise.
Stigandr tilted his head, considering the question. After a short pause, he scoffed. There is nothing wrong with dreams, just as long as they don't consume you. I know you miss her, Einar...as do I, but remember, she died free. He flapped his wings harder as he spotted Lithgow coming up.
Einar glanced up at Elaine and Eridor. He noticed that she had turned and waved. He gave her a nod, before she turned again. She's nice. Stigandr hummed.
Einar raised an eyebrow, wondering what tone Stigandr was using. Yes, she is. Why do you bring it up?
No reason. It was an observation. Stigandr hummed with some amusement and continued on.
Einar frowned, knowing that Stigandr never just stated an observation unless he was pointing out something else. What are you up to? He wondered with a quizzical frown. He wrapped his cloak around him tighter, as the winds picked up the chill in the air.
They flew in silence the rest of the morning as Einar tried his best to get some sleep, but in vain. By midday, he noticed Eridor descending and then felt Stigandr do the same as well.
With a firm, but gentle landing, Stigandr's talons dug into the earth. Break time! He hummed with delight.
Einar hopped off and stretched before unhooking Stigandr's saddle for the first time in days. Pleased for it to be off, Stigandr shook his whole body as he adjusted himself. That feels good. My back was beginning to itch. He yawned, exposing his vicious rows of teeth.
Einar scoffed as he took a look around. "In the mood for some lunch?" He asked Elaine, as he scavenged inside one of his packs for food.
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Post by Trinn on Mar 3, 2009 23:03:38 GMT -5
A laugh escaped Elaine. Now that Einar mentioned it, she was rather hungry. "Actually, I was thinking of what a beautiful morning it is. But lunch does sound good." Going to Eridor's side, she reached into one of the saddle bags and pulled out wrapped jerky and a bit of bread. Do you want me to unsaddle you? she asked the gray dragon. He tilted his head, considering.
No. We will be off again soon. Don't bother.
Suit yourself. Unwrapping the jerky, Elaine ate a strip, then moved on to another. As she chewed, she stared thoughtfully at the grassland. A majority of Surda was open ground like this, suitable for human expansion. Perhaps the arrival of the slaves wasn't such a horrible idea. Perhaps they could live on the unihabited land. In such a way, the country of Surda would flourish with new life. Too bad the freed people always seemed determined to get to Abernon. Finished with the jerky, Elaine began tearing off chunks of bread. "So, Einar, how does the empire differ from Surda? I've never strayed very far from Surda myself."
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