*Plot 2* The Eleventh Hour

[Tismri]

Tismri sat with the two men, silently lost in her own thoughts. She gazed up at the sky, thinking of years long lost.
~~~~~
Marcus stood at the edge of the camp, his eyes only upon the bearded man there. Despite the beard, he recognized him.
Einar... So, that traitor still lived. He would find a way to destroy him...but not yet. There were other, more important things to do. In the dark, his blue eyes glittered.
He turned his eyes to the woman in their midst, and his mind sprang, unbidden, to Susan. Susan...the woman he loved, and who loved him not. And now she never had a chance to return his affections. He gripped his contracted fighting pike and stood stock still, losing himself in dark emotions.
OOC: okay, Max. You're forgiven. I have Marcus to replace Tyr in my plans. lol.

[Max452]

OOC: uhh...okay.

Einar picked up a stick and poked it at the fire as he watched the other two Riders interact.
We are returning. It was a quick, but fine hunt. I will be by your side soon enough...try not to get irritated by the visitors...
Hurry....I detest the company right now....I desire to be alone...
Be patient, Einar. Perhaps you are meant to meet these Riders. They seem kind enough.
Nothing is what it seems.
True, but that does not mean that there are no kind people in the world. Hear what they say...and decide.
Fine. Einar answered reluctantly.

***
Romulus continued through the Spine, following the deer herd he was tracking. Their migration has changed recently and he desired to know why. It seemed something dangerous had entered the Spine and the creatures had moved to avoid it. Moving stealthly, he continued on his journey, wondering what dangerous beasts where lurking in the Spine...

[linea]

"Gianna," Salian murmured, still reflecting back. He smiled grimly. "That girl."

Torlynden sniffed the air and rumbled in his throat. I smell another person nearby, he said to all present.

[Max452]

Einar glanced up from the fire. Great! More company. He got up and pulled out his blades. "Where?" He asked, but decided to sense it for himself. He placed his blades onto his back and zoned out everything and everyone as he concentrated with his elven bred ears. Listening passed Salian, Tismri and Torlynden's breathing, he tried to sense the hidden visitor. His assassin instincts; though he now hated the skill, took over as he sensed a dark presence. Now quiet, he listened for the breathing....tune out the wind and the rustling leaves, he listened out towards the darkness...and then....he heard it...faint, small, slow....like a hunter.....
"There...." He mumbled and glanced to where Marcus was hiding in the foliage.

[linea]

Salian followed his gaze. He reached out and felt the person's spirit, sensing their intentions. "This could get interesting." He got up, stretched, and walked over to Torlynden. Leaning casually on the other side of the bulky dragon, he slipped his spear from its place on the saddle and readied it, staying by Torlynden.

[scorpion]

Saren shifted and watched as Critias soared away. Don’t take too long. We have to get to Ellesmera soon to find out what has happened.
Critias acknowledged him. I still need to have a real meal, as do you.
Saren picked up his pack and started to meander his way around the area, picking up plants that were edible and avoiding the wildlife. He paused as the smell of a campfire reached him. Hmm… Who would be out here… He followed the smell and quickly came to a camp where there were people and some dragons. He shivered, his desire to eat real food fighting against his caution and what he had seen at Vroengard. His hunger quickly overrode his caution and he stepped into the clearing.

[Tismri]

Marcus watched as the others seemed to notice him. He slipped back a ways, moving slowly to another side. He wanted to see all his opponents. When he glance at the dragon, he thought, I hope I don't have to fight that one. I only want Einar and Stigandr...for now. The rest will wait. He crouched, waiting for the right time to spring.

[linea]

Torlynden sniffed the air again and growled in agitation. There's another person nearby, but I cannot see them. There are too many people here, and unless you want to see a blood bath, I suggest we leave. The darkness swirled again at the edges of his mind, his spirit.

Salian nodded and sprung up onto his back. "Thank you for your help," he said to Einar, "but Torlynden and I must leave now. We won't forget your kindness."

Torlynden spread his wings and launched himself skyward, buffeting the trees below with wind from his wings. He circled once around the clearing, looking carefully at the trees Ismrolde crushed. His eyes finally picked up the newest member to the clearing, and then he wheeled away, heading for a nearby mountain, from which he hoped to watch the clearing.

He landed on a rock ledge and gazed down at the camp with sharp eyes. Let us watch these awhile, he suggested.

Fine. Salian lit a small fire for warmth near Torlynden's side, and also watched the clearing.

[Max452]

Einar was feeling more and more uncomfortable with more people around. He nodded at Salian and was considering of taking his advice.

Not long after Salian and Torlynden left, Stigandr returned.
How are you my Rider? He asked.
We need to leave now. There is odd presence here...it wearies me.
Do you desire to leave?
Aye. I want to be alone.
Stigandr gave a sigh. Einar, you have been running and seeking isolation since we learned of Gianna's death. It is time that we take some action rather than running.
I want to be left alone.Einar replied stubbornly.
Enough! Stop wasting your life! Do something with it! We must stop being idle! You know what the king has done and what he is truly fighting for!
I am not wasting my life! This world is hopeless, there is nothing here to defend!
Stigandr growled, no longer caring if the others were watching. There is LIFE to defend!
Life is meaningless.
FOOLISH BOY! Stigandr finally had enough and lurched at Einar, using his large talons, he pinned him with his talon. I am sick of this! I am sick of your moping! She's dead! You cannot bring her back! The past is the past! I care for her too, but I refuse to stop my life!
"SHUT UP!" Einar yelled.
NO! You have stopped your life long enough! It is time to act! The Empire needs to be taken down! You need to act! Gianna would want you to live! Stigandr's voice softened. Don't give up everything because you lost someone. We have all lost...the Empire has taken much from the people of this land. We have been given a gift that others envy. Do not waste it Einar...she wouldn't want it.
Einar stared up at his dragon, on the edge of tears. You ask too much of me.
I ask what you are capable of, my dear friend.
Einar just nodded, speechless and ashamed of himself.
Stigandr stepped back and released him. He glanced at the others as if nothing had happened.
Einar got up and dusted himself off, cleared his throat and sat next to the fire, thinking about what Stigandr reprimanded him on.

[Tismri]

Tismri watched the interaction between Einar and Stigandr, not knowing what was wrong and not intruding upon their conversation. Ismrolde settled in her place. As she landed, she noted, Someone's been here.
Yes, there was another Rider here, with his dragon. He took your spot while you were gone. The two of them gazed at the young Rider and dragon, arguing mostly silently, though at one point Einar audibly told Stigandr to shut up.
Do you remember when we used to argue like that? Tismri asked Ismrolde.
Aye, the dragon answered, We used to bicker and fight all the time, but never with this much passion, and often without reason. Still...I sense this man has been through some kind of hurt, and has not gotten over it yet.
Do you think I should talk with him about it?
No...I think you should let him be. Still, Tismri was unable to simply sit there silently. She edged a little closer to Einar.
"I'm sorry," she said sincerely, "I don't know what you're going through, but I hate to see anyone in pain like you are in."
~~~~~
Marcus watched the interaction between the Rider and dragon with something akin to amusment. If only more dragons would attack their Riders, maybe they would be getting closer to solving the problems with the whole system. He noticed the woman in the clearing moving closer to Einar. Just a few more minutes, he decided, then he would reveal himself. He had no doubt they knew he was there anyway. They just weren't sure exactly where.

[Max452]

Einar felt Tismri approach him. He didn't make a move, but continued to stare at the fire. It was until she made a heartfelt and sincere comment, that he looked at her.
"It's not your fault." He made a slight smile. "I suppose it is my own doing." He stared at her for a moment. "Perhaps Stigandr is right, I have wasted my time enough. It is time to do the right thing for once." He got up, a new aura seemed to be around him, now that he had accepted Stigandr's words. "I will not stand idly anymore." He announced, but it was mostly directed at Stigandr.
Good, hatchling! Now we are getting somewhere! Stigandr gave him a dragon grin.

[linea]

Salian watched the interactions of the group below without expression. His mind hovered in its safe harbor as he contemplated what he saw. That old dragon and Rider seem well bonded, whereas the younger two seem to have troubles, he observed. Still, in the end they can straighten it out. He looked up at Torl's almost invisible side, and then back down at the people below. Can I achieve that? At one time in my life, I thought so, but now. . . . I am not sure. After all, what dragon would leave his Rider, injured, without making sure he was all right? And it was partly his fault that I injured myself. He rubbed his leg subconsciously where the injury had been. It isn't right. Nothing about Torlynden is right. I have seen how some dragons behave, and none of them are as vile as Torl can be. After, he killed so many of them, so many creatures, and he wasn't even after food, just power.

Not for the first time, he wondered if Vana had done right, letting him into the hatchery. Ever since that day, his life had been twisted. Fate is a fickle mistress, he mused. Or the gods have a cruel humor. Though I probably deserve some of my pain. He smiled grimly. After all, I'm a slaver and assassin for the Empire. I have spoken to the king personally, and defied him, and repented, and lived.

But what should I do now? I cannot be a slaver any longer, since the last time almost ended terribly. He winced, remembering Torlynden tearing apart. . . . . . . He shook his head to clear the thought. No. I cannot.

He sighed, resting his head in his hands. Dragons are supposed to be intelligent creatures of grace and deadly beauty, not a killer of the innocent. But Torlynden gets a bit carried away sometimes. At least he hasn't killed any people yet. For that, I am glad.

But what now? He raised his head and continued to watch the clearing below. What now?

OOC: How many people, on reading this, thought that Torl tore apart a person?

[Tismri]

Marcus stepped out into the firelight, a grim smile on his face.
"Well, Einar," he said, "if you are done 'standing idly by,' then I think you should accompany me to Uru'baen. I'm sure your dear father would be more than happy to see you alive." His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

[Max452]

Einar pulled his blades out quickly and turned to face Marcus. A sneer and a look of disgust was placed on his face.
"Marcus." His eyes grew dark. "My father died long ago and I have no intention of returning to Uru'baen." He twirled his blades, knowing that Marcus wanted a fight.

[Tismri]

"Very well, then," Marcus said, shaking his pike to make it extent to its full eight-foot length, "I guess I'll just have to take you with me." He swung the pike toward Einar's head, leaving enough manuverablity to block if he tried to attack.
~~~~~
Tismri was not surprised at the other man's sudden appearance. She went over to stand my Ismrolde. She felt this was Einar's fight, though she would help if he ever asked for it.