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Post by caleb on Sept 6, 2008 0:41:49 GMT -5
Caleb ran to answer the door. "I hope your hungry, and Oranthor is to come in also, I cooked for him." Caleb said, not speaking to her dragon directly. Caleb ran over the the table and poured some Blackberry Juice with Blueberry wine for dinner. He pulled the salad from the cabinet and says, "Eat up.". He served it with a big smile on his face.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 6, 2008 13:49:11 GMT -5
Jeriah smiled at Caleb, growing hungrier at the smell.
"I'm starved," she told him. She took a bite of the meal. It was wonderful. "It's delicious," she said, still smiling.
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Post by caleb on Sept 6, 2008 17:18:38 GMT -5
"Thank you." Caleb replied, glad that she was enjoying herself. "Would you like some desert?" Caleb asked, pulling the plates away.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 6, 2008 20:59:47 GMT -5
Jeriah smiled.
"I'd love some," she told him. As she waited for him to go get the dessert, thoughts of Lathem suddenly intruded on her mind. Where was he? Was he all right? All the questions of the past few days flew through her mind. She tried to stop herself from crying, but even so, a few tears rolled down her face. Why is it that whenever I start to feel happy again, I think of him and start crying again? she thought to herself.
Because you love him, Oranthor told her, offering her comfort. And he was right. Jeriah did love Lathem. She loved him from the day she met him. And that just made all this harder.
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Post by Trinn on Sept 7, 2008 10:51:24 GMT -5
Eridor circled slowly above Abernon, his eagle like eyes surveying the land closely. The dragon was always ready for a fight, mostly so he could protect his rider. Elaine sat hunched in the saddle, thinking over recent events. Most troubling was the news of the dragon slayers. Having met them before, she new first hand how intelligent and cunning they were in battle. Of course, they were still no match for Eridor, herself, and the mercenary she had been with at the time. Elaine assumed that particular troop had been a new one, fresh from training. If they had been seasoned warriors, then perhaps their little skirmish would have turned out differently. Eridor, sensing her thoughts, growled. You worry too much. The varden have been warned of these people. They will not fall easily into another group of these dragon slayers. The title of the special soldiers sent a growl from his throat.
Yes, but still. We did not know they were there until the last minute.
Because we were not aware there were such people stalking the land of Alagaesia. Eridor countered.
Sighing, Elaine turned her mind to other matters. Whoever Jeriah had been with on the archery field, she seemed to have been happy. For the moment, at least. Hopefully, whoever this new man was, he would be able to keep her spirits up. So, for the moment, that crisis was averted. The next pressing issue was River. The girl who had been tortured, it would seem, purely in the mind. Who was now hearing peoples thoughts without even trying. Elaine shuddered. As a rider, she herself had heard people's thoughts. They were always random, flying from one topic to another. The idea of hearing multiple peoples thoughts at once was really quite horrifying. I hope she gains some peace of mind, Elaine told Eridor.
Aye. At least some. Looking over the dragon's large gray shoulder, she saw the distant city of Abernon and the large castle. Both seemed so tiny, so insignificant from this high up, it was hard to imagine any sort of strife churning in them. I know what will take your mind off of your troubles. Elaine glanced at the back of Eridor's head, skeptical.
What?
The orphanage. A slight smile came to Elaine's lips.
We'll see.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 7, 2008 13:55:01 GMT -5
After a while, River opened her eyes. Thousands of thoughts were crowding in her mind. She gritted her teeth and tried to find her own thought mixed in with all the others.
Where am I? was the first one she identified as her own. She looked around the room. Simon was asleep against the wall, snoring ever so gently. She felt gratitude and love rush through her, and she knew those were her own feelings. She quietly stood and left the room, leaving her brother in there.
River made her way to the training fields, not really knowing how she found it, but was there all the same. She watched some men take shots at large targets with their bows. She had never handled a bow before. She found she wanted to try. She found some practice bows lying near the grounds. She picked one up and found some arrows as well. She watched the men for a while, seeing how they did things. Then she took her own aim and fired at the target. The arrow hit it, but was way off the center. She let another one fly. This one hit the target closer to the center, but was still off a bit. After about the fifth arrow, she finally hit the center. Happy with that, she gathered the arrows from the target and replaced the bow and arrows back where she had gotten them.
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Post by Trinn on Sept 7, 2008 18:53:02 GMT -5
With a clatter of talons, Eridor landed in the city square, carefully avoiding the dainty fountain in the center. Citizens quickly made way for the massive dragon, ducking as they ran to avoid the gusts of wind he created. Some cast Eridor scathing looks, angry at him for having detoured their routes. Others stared wtih wide eyes, openly awed at the sight of him. Meet me back here in an hour. Elaine told Eridor as she quickly dismounted.
As you wish.
After watching Eridor depart, Elaine turned down a side alley, leaving the mass of people in the city square. As a chile, Elaine had grown up in the orphanage she was headed to, which meant that she could walk the streets of Abernon with her eyes closed. The alley faded away to a narrow street, which in turn opened into a large street. A two story, patched building stood on the left of the street. Outside it's doors children sat or stood, enjoying the pleasant evening. Elaine frowned. Diane should be watching them. she thought. The young kids looked up when they heard her footsteps, bright smile's breaking across their faces. A young girl ran up to her with arms held out. Smiling in return, Elaine bent and scooped the girl into her arms. "Hello Berdise. Where is Diane?" The little girl pointed to the building. "Thanks." With little Berdise in her arms, Elaine stepped into the orphanage.
Inside, even more children mulled about. There were even a few older kids, probably 14 or 16 years of age, sitting around. This amazed and pleased Elaine. As soon as she was old enough, she had left the orphanage. Of course, that was before it had been repaired, and before it had suficient funds to run properly. After Elaine had become a rider, she had made an effort to revamp the orphanage, make it more habitable, even comfortable, to live in. Her efforts had not been in vain. Not seeing Diane on the first floor, she assumed the owner was on the second floor in her office.
Walking up the mended stairs, Elaine went to the office and found Diane. The motherly woman sat in a sturdy wood chair, going over some papers. She didn't seem to notice Elaine's arrival. "Hello, Diane." The woman looked up quickly, then smiled at the sight of Elaine.
"Elaine! My dear, what a pleasant surprise!" Smiling, the rider walked over to the small window and looked out. It gave a clear view of the street below. So that was how Diane was keeping an eye on the children.
"I just wanted to stop by and check in. Everything still running smoothly?" Diane smiled widely.
"Yes, yes. Actually, I have even hired on a few helping hands. A young man and woman. So nice. They really can be a life saver when I have to go over all this office work." Berdise looked from Elaine to Diane, only understanding a few words. Taking a seat across from Diane, Elaine rocked Berdise back and forth gently. As Diane and Elaine spoke, catching up with each other, the child quickly fell asleep.
***
An hour later, Elaine got to her feet and handed Berdise over to Diane. "I have to get back. Never know what sort of crisis may have happened while I was gone."
Nothing at all. Eridor replied. Ignoring him, Elaine gave the orphange owner a quick hug.
"Well, just be sure not to work yourself to hard, my dear. It's not healthy." Elaine nodded.
"Of course. I'll see you around, Diane."
"Aye, take care."
With a final wave of goodbye, Elaine left the tiny office and down the stairs. Most of the children were in bed by now, only a couple people still sitting up by a lamp. A young man and woman. Those must be the helpers Diane spoke of. They look capable enough Inclining her head to them, Elaine stepped out of the orphanage.
Back in the town square, Eridor sat on his haunches, his gray eyes half lidded. So, things are going smoothly? He asked. Rolling her eyes, Elaine leapt onto his saddle.
You know well enough. Couhing a laugh, Eridor spread his wings and leapt into the sky.
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Post by caleb on Sept 8, 2008 0:11:11 GMT -5
Caleb ran to get desert, and he suddenly felt that Jeriah was unhappy. Not trying to intrude, he gently poked at her thoughts and he saw Lathem. "I know you must miss him Jeriah. I'm sorry." he said, placing her plate in front of her.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 8, 2008 11:53:14 GMT -5
Jeriah smiled at Caleb through her tears.
"Thank you. For everything. You really have made me feel better than I've felt for a while." She sat still for a few minutes, trying to compose herself. Once she was fine again, she looked at the plate in front of her.
"This looks wonderful," she said.
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Post by caleb on Sept 8, 2008 13:47:01 GMT -5
"Thank you Jeriah. I'm will help you no matter what." Caleb said, looking into Jeriah's eyes.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 8, 2008 15:33:07 GMT -5
Jeriah gave Caleb a sweet smile, and grabbed his hand to show him her thanks.
"I'm glad I met you today, Caleb," she said.
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Post by caleb on Sept 8, 2008 23:07:37 GMT -5
Caleb blushed at the contact, but his general lust for the girl was leaving, and a fondness for her was begining to come through. "Jeriah, I swear that no one will ever hurt you again." he said, and sat down to eat his dessert and share stories with his new friend.
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Post by Tismri on Sept 9, 2008 12:18:48 GMT -5
Jeriah smiled at Caleb's promise. Then they took turns sharing stories and laughing over things they did long ago. After several hours, it was getting dark outside and Jeriah bagan to yawn. She gave Caleb a tired smile.
"I think it's time I went to bed," she said, getting up. "Thanks for dinner. It really was wonderful. And thank you for...everything."
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Post by caleb on Sept 9, 2008 14:25:28 GMT -5
"Your welcome, come over any time, I love the company. I hope Oranthor enjoyed Balvir's company as much as I enjoyed yours." he said, showing her out the door. "Maybe we should make a habit of this, you know eat once a week, just to check in and train the same day? That way you won't get left behind?" Caleb said. He was starting to enjoy the Varden
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Post by Tismri on Sept 9, 2008 17:35:06 GMT -5
Jeriah smiled at him.
"That sounds like a good idea. I would like that." She waved goodbye to Caleb and left his quarters. Oranthor followed close behind. Jeriah smiled at the large orange dragon and touched his leg.
Did you have a good time, small one? he asked her.
It was truly wonderful. And you?
Well...Balvir's not Zamah, to say the least. But I enjoyed his company.
I'm glad, Jeriah said. Then she noticed Jahag coming up behind them in boy form.
"And where have you been this evening, Jahag?" she asked the werecat.
Here and there, he answered with a mischievous grin.
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