Enemies meeting

[Tismri]

"I know you didn't kill him for me," she said, still walking, not slowing her pace, "but all the same, by doing so you saved my life, and that debt cannot be forgotten."
She stopped short when Einar asked how old he was, eyes narrowing dangerously. Her hand tightened around the hilt of her sword and she nearly drew it before she stopped herself. Denial was not in her nature; she could not lie about this convincingly after her strong reaction. Her face contorted into a vicious glare.
"So you've guessed it, have you?" she said in a dark voice, "You're lucky I've promised you no harm, or else I would cut you down right here and now for it." Her every instinct told her to do it, to protect her son. She was torn, because she knew she could not harm Einar for her vow.
"Promise me you will never speak of his existance to anyone. Anyone! If he's discovered...if Galbatorix finds out about him..." Her firm resolve broke there and a tear coursed down her cheek. She hated tears; it was a sign of weakness. But everytime she thought about the terrible things Galbatorix might have Cortell go through, destroying his sweet innocence, she couldn't help but cry in fear.

[Max452]

Einar's expression didn't change when Marola hissed out at him; her reaction was both understandable and a confirmation. He ignored her hand as it went to the hilt of her sword. "Peace." He responded in a harsh, but soft tone. His eyes had the old burning of an assassin, but it was quenched quickly before his instincts told him to take her down.

"If I wished to harm you, Marola, I would make it known." He kept walking. "I won't make any promises that I know I can't keep, Marola." He continued. "But I will promise that I won't let any harm befall the boy nor will I be the one to bring hate into his life." His eyes met hers and held it as they walked. "He may be the son of my enemy, but he coming into this world wasn't his fault. I won't subjugate him to that burden." He continued to walk before talking again, absorbed with his own heritage and knowledge of the Empire King. He let her take that in for a moment before continuing. "If you know what the King will do to the boy...why do you still follow him? If you think you can hide him, you're only fooling yourself...he will discover the boy soon..." He glanced at Marola's companion. "But I suppose you have your own plans of defense..." He trailed off.

[Tismri]

Marola walked on in silence, far from satisfied with Einar's answer. His knowing about her son's existance set off every danger alert within her, and she could do nothing about it.
He doesn't make promises he knows he can't keep, she thought angrily, more at herself than at him. I tend to make promises and bind my very life to them, even ones that seem harmless. I'm trapped in a net of my own vows. She contemplated this as well as Einar's question.
"I continue to follow him because it seems the only way I can fufill my vow to avenge my father," she said flatly. "I never make a promise I don't intend to keep. What respect would anyone have for me if I did?"

[Max452]

"You would not gain any respect by making pointless vows either." He sighed. "Pardon me, I understand what you mean, but I have felt the suffering and burden of endless vows and oaths. And I also understand your need to avenge your father..." His voice trailed off as he thought about his mother. Would he ever find out the truth about her? "...but I assure you, Marola, Galbatorix will only have you until he can find no use for you. I hope that you never feel the suffering of losing the one you love by his hand." His eyes turned towards the windows as they exited into the courtyard, where Rauthr was and Stigandr hovering above them.

It is about time...I was beginning to become restless... Stigandr snapped at Einar. I'm getting bored and watching Rauthr flick his tail back and forth is not what I call entertainment. The silver dragon played off his unease of the green dragon to Einar.

[Tismri]

Marola shook her head at Einar, understanding what he was saying and not wanting to. She was too stubborn to give in to thoughts like that.
"I will never see my son killed," she said, "not by Galbatorix or anyone else. I would die before that happened, and I would die viciously protecting him." She blinked in the sudden sunlight and looked up at the dragons in the sky. "He's all I live for," she added softly.
Rauthr had been intently focused on Marola his entire time there. The instant it ever seemed like she was in danger, he would rescue her and get her out of there. He ignored all the other dragons, including Stigandr and Ciraph. He relaxed only slightly when she came out with Einar, and Zak following.
How went it, Rola? he asked, landing in the courtyard again in an instant. He eyed Einar for a moment before putting his full attention back to his Rider.
I feel as if this were a complete waste of time, she stated bluntly. He could feel her frustration at having told the Varden some secrets she had kept nearly all her life and not recieving anything--not even mutual hatred--in response.
Well, we shall see the results of this little venture soon, Rauthr said as she mounted his saddle. Marola turned back to Einar.
"Pray we never meet again, Einar," she told him, "for the day we do will surely bring some kind of tragedy." She looked at her bodyguard. "Zak, head straight home. Rauthr and I will probably be there by the time you arrive." Rauthr leapt into the skies, battering those below with great wind. Marola could almost feel the Varden dragons' comtempt pouring out upon her and Rauthr.
Let's get out of here as quickly as possible. A few day's rest in the Spine might do me good before we go home. I need to process all of this. Rauthr silently agreed.

[sumdood]

Max looked behind him from where he sat on Teinaava's back, the Fanghur behind them gaining fast.
They were flying over Surda now, having just came out of the Beor mountains, but the Fanghur still were chasing them.
One of the faster Fanghur dive bombed Max and Teinaava, slashing Teinaava across the back, the smoky golden dragon letting out a roar of pain.
'Naava! You okay?! he said as Teinaava slowed considerably.
I'll be fine, but I don't know how much more of this I can take. Teinaava replied.
Just hand in there! Max said,There's a city ahead!
I know, Teinaava said, fatigue evident in his voice.I'm trying to make it.
Max closed his eyes, spreading his hands out on Teinaava's neck, transfering his power to the large dragon.
Dont' stop! he said,We can make it! Go!
Wait.... Teinaava said quietly, Look at that city closer.
What? Why? Max asked, looking at Teinaava,What about it?
There's a swarm of dragons flying over it.......

[Trinn]

Elaine had followed Einar and Marola at some distance, keeping a wary eye on them. It was not her distrust of Einar that made her to do so, but of Marola. As she walked, she wondered about what they were talking about. Could she be trying to persuade him to come back to the empire? Was she trying to trick him into something? They eventually returned to the courtyard, and Marola was quick to mount her dragon. As the beast vaulted into the sky, Elaine braced her feet against the gust's created by his wings. Eridor, flying above, gave him a wide birth, not out of fear but to ensure he would not attack the empire scum himself. Elaine sighed, then looked east. Something strange fluttered on the horizon. Was that another dragon? And what followed it? Eridor...

Strange. The dragon is being chaced by something. Elaine grimaced.

Is it friend or foe?

I know not. We must wait for him to draw closer. I will alert the others. Arching his neck, Eridor raised a bugle alarm, the noise almost eery in it's warning. Elaine watched as the other dragons all looked to where Eridor was looking. Some glanced at Rauthr, wondering if the alarm was raised due to him. The people in the courtyard glanced around frightfully.
*****

Nasuada watched the group leave her study, then slumped down onto her chair. It had been a strange meeting, and she wondered if the rider, Marola, had something else planed for her visit. Her eyes widened when a high dragon bugle made it's way through the castle walls to her. She recognized the warning. Standing, instantly alert, she grasped the hilt of her dagger and looked to one of her nighthawks. "Go, find out what is happening!" The man bowed, then ran out of the room. Nasuada turned to Arya. "This day grows worse."

[Tismri]

Marola glanced up from her deep thought as she noticed several figures approaching from the sky. At a glance, she assumed they were just some more Varden dragons returning to the city. But then she noticed that only one seemed about the size of a dragon; the other creatures seemed to be chasing it.
Rola! The Rider! Is that...? Rauthr asked startled.
I can't see who it is from this distance, she told him. Rauthr strengthened his contact with her mind, and Marola's breath was temperarily taken away as she suddenly saw with Rauthr's sight. But she forgot all about the startling change when she saw who was riding the smoky golden dragon in the distance.
MAX! she mentally screamed. He was being chased by strange creatures. Rauthr, get over there! She was a little disoriented as their vision separated and he flew with all speed to the others.
As they reached the others, Marola reacted like lightning. She was out of her saddle and walking back along Rauthr's spine.
Rauthr, can your tail support me while you fly? she asked, not slowing. Rauthr gave her a mental nod. She balanced all the way to the end, then wrapped her arm around it and hung the rest of her body from him like an extension of his tail. Haphazardly drawing her sword, she instructed Rauthr to fly close to the Fangur.
He got closer and she was swinging wildly around. The instant they were near enough, Marola swung her sword at the creature with all her might. It was tougher than she had expected, and she lost her grip on both her sword and Rauthr's tail. The sword fell, spinning hilt over point, to the distant ground. Marola landed on the creature's neck. The thing screeched out at the same time Rauthr let out a roar. Marola gripped the Fangur's neck with all her strength as it snaked back and forth, trying to shake her off. Finally, she got into a position where she could grab one of her daggers, drawing it and slicing around the creature's throat. At the same time, Rauthr rammed into the Fangur. The whole mass--dragon, Rider, and Fangur--fell plummeting to the ground. Marola released her grip on the thing and felt the giddy sensation of free fall. Then she slammed into the ground and was instantly unconscious. The Fangur was dead. Rauthr's wing was broken.

OOC: someone else can take care of the others. I just took down one. lol

[Trinn]

With some amazment, Elaine watched Marola and her dragon engage the distant creatures in combat. Slowly, the dragon came into focus, showing a golden hue. She was assuming the rider was of the empire, since Marola had gone to his aid. Still, the dragon and it's assailants were coming closer. Elaine gasped when Marola, Rauthr, and the other creature plummeted to earth. Eridor!

The gray dragon swooped down and landed on his hind feet, balancing dangerously there. Elaine rushed over to him, jumped, and caught hold of a saddle strap. Pulling herself into the seat, Eridor beat his wings down and leapt, spiraling back into the sky. They knew now what beasts harried the distant dragon. Fanghur, little creatures that resembled dragons. Vicious and deadly. Pumping his wings, Eridor quickly closed the distance between them. Passing one, he swept out with his tail. A spike connected with the neck of the creature, breaking the bone. The carcass plummeted to earth. Eridor roared in challenge. The group of Fanghur split in two. Some continued to bombard the golden dragon, while the others wheeled away to attack Eridor. Elaine unsheathed her sword and braced herself. Just before they were upon him, Eridor cupped his wings and flipped over, so that his belly was to the sky. The beasts flew above him. Opening his maw, he released an inferno of flame. A few of the creatures were istantly dead, burned to ashes. The others escaped with singed fur. Growling, Eridor flipped himself back over and lashed out with his tail. It connected with one of the Fangur's wings, sending it to fall to it's death. The others were now upon them. One flew in close enough to slash Eridor's wing. Elaine, her face set in a scowl, lunged out with her rapier. The slim blade managed to stick only an inch into the thing. It screeched and turned it's attack on Elaine. Sneering, she muttered, "Jeirda!". The creatures neck snapped in an instant. Before another could get to his side, Eridor snapped out quickly, catching it in his jaws. Crunching down, he broke the things body, then flung it away from him. Still, they continued to come. Eridor roared again, inviting them to do their worst. By that time, other dragons from the castle were flying their way.

[arwyn]

Saphira bugled outside.
Eragon! An attack!
What!?!?!
Fanghur. They are attacking.
"Lady Nasuada. I must help Saphira. Fanghur are attacking." Eragon pleaded.

[sumdood]

Max and Teinaava kept flying, the dozen and a half fanghur close on their tails behind them.
I think we're through, Max thought, a pit in his stomach as he saw one of the riders and their dragon, a green one, flying toward him.
Then, relief and apprehension washed over him as he saw it was Marola.
She'll know after this Teinaava said.
It doesn't matter! She wouldn't betray us anyway! Max thought, watching as they attacked one of the Fanghur,Can you do any fighting at all?
I still have energy to fight some, yes, Teinaava said,So, ready to give them hell?
Yeah. Now that we actually have someone to back us up. But....who are those others there?
They're likely Varden Riders, Teinaava thought as he wheeled around, snarling and digging claws and fangs into a Fanghur as it flew by.
Max was jostled in the saddle as the Fanghur's body collided with the Fanghur, holding on to one of the spikes to keep from getting thrown off.
Then, he turned in the direction of a roar and watched in horror as Marola and her dragon fell out of the sky with one of the FAnghur as one of the other dragons began fighting the Fanghur.
Rolie's hurt! Max thought.
We'll check on her when we're through with these Fanghur! For now there's nothing we can do! Teinaava said.
Max just nodded and held on as he was jostled around more and more as Teinaava fought with the Fanghur, both of them falling through the air.
Eventually, Teinaava managed to clamp down on the Fanghur's throat, ripping it out and letting it fall to the ground.

[Backabuth]

Zak walked over to Ikal, his horse, then started riding towards the borders of Surda, anger clearly written all over his face.
What was the meaning of this trip? I saw nothing but danger towards Marola and Rauthr, and nothing came out of even coming here.
Zak stewed as he glimpsed a green streak in the sky. Zak glanced up at the sky, smiling slightly at the mighty beauty of Rauthr. Suddenly, he saw the dragon collide with another animal, then start falling to the ground. A glimpse of red hair made Zak's eyes widen
MAROLA!
His heart fluttered as he watched them fall out of view, then feel a tremble through the earth. He could feel his dinner from the last night coming back up, then leaned over Ikal, sliding to a stop. After his sickness was over, Zak wiped his mouth, urging Ikal to go as fast as he could.

Moments later, Zak crossed the border and headed to where he saw Rauthr's huge mass on the ground. When he arrived, streams were already streaming down his cheeks. Marola's body was sprawled out and not-moving. Her hair was spread around her head, covering her face. Zak gave the dead Fanghur a look, then rushed to Marola's body. He reached out with his mind and was relieved to find her still alive, just unconscious. He reached for the magic around him, then healed Marola from the inside out. It would be just moments before she was awake. Zak got up, wiped the tears from his face, then got up, walking over to Rauthr. He touched Rauthr's mind with his own.
Is it alright if I heal you?

[Tismri]

Rauthr watched as Zak came over and helped Marola. He was a good two-legger, always doing his job. He gave his consent to let Zak heal him, staring at Marola and glancing a few times upward to see how the fight progressed. He watched for the smoky golden dragon that had Marola's friend as his Rider.
Marola's eyes fluttered a little and she groaned. Someone had healed her, but she was still sore all over from her fall. But only one thing was on her mind, and would have made her sit up and nearly scream out in anxiety. As she was, she could hardly keep her eyes open to stare at the sky and mutter the name, "Max..."

[sumdood]

Get close to the ground! I'll jump off and check on Marola while you keep fighting the Fanghur! I need to see if she's ok! Max said.
Fine, Teinaava said, shaking his head,But be careful. At this speed, it could kill you to hit the ground too hard
I know! Just do it! max said.
Ok. Teinaava said, going into a dive toward the ground with Max on his back.
As they neared the ground, Teinaava flaared his wings enough to slow them and let Max hop off safely. As he hit the ground, Max tucked his body into a ball and rolled to a stop as Teinaava took back off into the sky, engaging with another Fanghur.
As soon as he stopped rolling, Max, whose ankel was hurting(he thougth he might've broken it in the fall), stumbled over to where Marola was.
"Marola!" he said,, kneeling down next to her, groaning because of his ankle,"What were you thinking! Why did you do that? Isn't this Varden territory?"

[Tismri]

Marola tried to sit up when she saw Max stumbling over to her. He started asking her questions, which made her head hurt.
"I could ask you the same things!" she said, "What are you doing in Surda, and why do you have a flock of angry Fanghur chasing you? Aaahh!" The last was a small cry of pain when she realized she still couldn't sit up withouth feeling the effects of her impact with the ground.