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Post by taran on Aug 14, 2008 19:19:26 GMT -5
Taran looked the dragon in the eyes, wondering how long he could hold the gaze. The dragon, of course, won, but Taran did not lose heart.
"I would rather my crew not find out because they are not exactly the trustworthy group, and I would more than likely end up in a jailed carriage bound for Galbatorix. As for where they are located, what does it matter? If you truly wanted to know, rider, you could find them from where you stood." Taran gave a sidelong glance at the rider, beginning to feel a little more at ease, though he knew he could still be attacked and killed.
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Post by Tismri on Aug 14, 2008 19:37:29 GMT -5
Jeriah was confused for a minute, then remembered what Lathem had taught her about sensing other people with her mind. She felt around like he told her to, then felt that there was a group of men nearby. Then she turned her attention back to the elf.
"Galbatorix...he's bad, right?" she had heard the name, but never listened much when her parents discussed politics. It always bored her to death. She heard something about the king raising taxes all the time and taking people away to join the army. Other than that, she knew very little about the king and the people who were for and against him. She looked at the elf carefully, waiting for him to confirm or deny her question.
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Post by taran on Aug 14, 2008 19:44:52 GMT -5
"Bad? For most people yes, for others no. Bad is a relative term. For me, I do not approve of him, nor hate him."
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Post by Tismri on Aug 14, 2008 19:55:35 GMT -5
Jeriah blinked, confused by the elf's response.
"So...uh...you mean you don't like him, but you don't dislike him either? I don't get it." She waited for a minute, then decided to let the subject drop.
Oranthor, however, did not. He spoke directly to the elf.
Elf, you confuse my Rider. She does not understand the nature of Galbatorix. She does not even know what her own definition of the word "bad" is. In fact, the concept of evil is so foreign to her, she does not even understand why your crew is not to be trusted. Either explain your answer to her, or keep silent. Just be careful if you do explain. She is...a delicate creature. Any attempt to alter her veiw of the world may shatter her. If that happens, he added with a growl, then pity on the one who caused it, for he would not live another day.
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Post by taran on Aug 14, 2008 20:02:52 GMT -5
Taran smiled weakly at the dragon's threat.
"Well, I say I do not like him because of the things he has done, but I do not dislike him because he is only trying to be a leader. It is a complicated issue, and I do not believe I am the one to explain it. So let us change topics before your dragon sees it fit to silence me himself." Taran looked at the dragon, raising his brow with a more sure smile.
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Post by Tismri on Aug 14, 2008 20:13:05 GMT -5
Jeriah looked from the elf to Oranthor and back again.
"Okay, then what do you want to talk about? Why are you here? Where are you going? Where do you come from?" She continued to ask questions about his life, eager to hear all she could about her new friend.
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Post by taran on Aug 14, 2008 20:37:39 GMT -5
Taran felt stunned by the dozens of questions thrown at him.
"Well, I'm here with my crew on our way along the coast. I'm from Ellesmera though I haven't been there for a long time."
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Post by Tismri on Aug 14, 2008 20:56:39 GMT -5
Jeriah cocked her head to the right a little.
"Ellesmera? Where's that? I don't think I've ever heard of it before." She sat on the ground, getting comfortable, and waited for Taran to tell her of the elven city.
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Post by taran on Aug 14, 2008 21:04:03 GMT -5
Taran followed suit, sitting down facing Jeriah.
"Well, it is a beautiful place, in a dense forest with mountains and rivers and lakes. The city itself is clean and organized, the homes made from the trees themselves using magic! Most importantly, it is quiet and calm. One can truly find peace there." Taran continued to describe the city in great detail, from directions of streets, to his old home.
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Post by Tismri on Aug 14, 2008 21:15:55 GMT -5
Jeriah listened closely as Taran decribed the wonderous city of Ellesmera. From the detail in which he decribed it, she could almost see it in her mind. It sounded like the most beautiful place on earth. When he finished, she sat back, leaning against Oranthor.
"It sounds wonderful. Where I come from isn't even half as interesting, or beautiful, though the plains have beauty in their own way. And in the Spine..." her voice trailed off as she thought of her lovely treehouse in the Spine, which Lathem had made for her the day after they met. That was so long ago...Jeriah sighed as a single tear fell down her face. She only hoped that Lathem was okay, wherever he was.
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Post by taran on Aug 14, 2008 21:19:24 GMT -5
Taran noticed a small tear trickle down Jeriah's cheek. He thought to change the subject, but he wasn't sure what to say.
"What is it? Are you okay? Why don't you tell me of your home?"
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Post by Tismri on Aug 14, 2008 21:29:10 GMT -5
Jeriah smiled at Taran, glad he was trying to get her mind off of whatever was bothering her.
"Well, I lived most of my life on the plains at my dad's farm. I lived there with my parents and my brother and sister. Oranthor hatched for me there about a year ago. We grew cotton and some livestock there. Oranthor and I left several months ago because we wanted to see the world. We spent most of that time in the Spine, actually, with some...friends we made there. Something happened recently that made us go again." Another tear. She thought of that one night, when Lathem left them all and ran off into the night on his horse, even leaving Zamah behind. She sighed again, then gave Taran a forced smile.
"And after that we came here. That's pretty much my whole life."
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Post by taran on Aug 14, 2008 21:46:10 GMT -5
Taran looked at Jeriah, and he knew that she was not telling him something, but it was not his business.
"Interesting. So you grew up on a farm? I spent most of my life on the road, under cities, in forests, on mountains. Never been in one single place for long. I don't know why, but I've never seemed to be able to find a place for me, a place where I could be comfortable."
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Post by Tismri on Aug 14, 2008 21:54:49 GMT -5
"I've never been able to quite find a place like that, either," Jeriah replied. "I mean, the farm was fine, and it was my home for a long time, but since Oranthor hatched, it never really felt like a place I belonged in anymore. I guess that may be one reason why we left-to find a place to fit in." She again thought of Lathem, how he made her feel like she belonged. She desparately tried to get her mind off of him.
"So, where are you going in your sea-faring adventure?" she asked to distract herself from thoughts of her former boyfriend.
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Post by taran on Aug 14, 2008 22:01:57 GMT -5
Taran noted the sadness in her voice, but knew it was not his place to ask.
"Right now, we're headed to Surda, after that I'm not sure."
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