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Post by Backabuth on Nov 6, 2008 22:48:11 GMT -5
Lathem gripped the hilt of Dorzada and gritted his teeth. The forestry that surrounded himself and his wife didn't bother him, it was what they were doing there. "Jeriah, do you really believe in this...this crystal? Isn't it some sort of black magic?" His worries overtook his mind and wouldn't let him think straight. Of course, that affected Zamah's mind as well.
Zamah circled the area Jeriah and Lathem were overhead, breathing the cool night air and flying amongst the stars and moon. With him was Oranthor, Jeriah's amber hued dragon. Connecting his mind with Oranthor's Zamah stated, Ah, a breath of fresh air is as wonderful as the love of a rider.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 6, 2008 22:58:24 GMT -5
Jeriah's joyous laughter echoed through the night air.
"Lathem, you worry too much. There is nothing dark about the Crystal. He's the one who set me on the right path. He told me I would need to choose a side someday. If I hadn't, I would never have found and freed you." Glorious beams of light shone from her as she felt her heart beat frightfully in Lathem. Because if that, she could always tell exactly how he felt at the moment.
"Just trust me, love. Just trust."
Oranthor flew upward, not as suited to the sky as other dragons were. He preferred crushing rocks and trees on the ground, putting his huge muscles to use. He replied to Zamah.
Almost. I still would prefer the love of my Rider. To live on without feeling it could not be replaced by any number of breaths of this fine night air. He recalled the short time when he thought he would have to live the rest of his long life without Jeriah. He didn't dwell on it, though.
But it is close.
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Post by Backabuth on Nov 6, 2008 23:13:12 GMT -5
Lathem looked at her fearfully and turned back to the dark forest, imagining seeing two yellow eyes. Shaking his head to shake the image from his mind, Lathem moved forward, disappearing into the darkness.
Zamah glanced at Oranthor and growled his agreement. I understand, dear brother. I became insane without Lathem in my mind, though I had many gulps of night air as fresh as this. Flapping his amethyst wings, Zamah flew up high into the clouds, then tucked his wings against his body and dove down, diving into the refreshing water. Using his senses, Zamah felt a large fish nearby, trying desperately to find a place to hide. Zamah struck forward and gulped the fish down at once, resurfacing soon afterward.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 6, 2008 23:22:26 GMT -5
Jeriah shook her head in amusement, then grabbed Lathem's hand.
"Come on, Lathem. Don't be such a scaredy werecat. I promise, nothing is going to happen to you." She paused and look around to get her bearings. She smiled, knowing where she was. This was where she and Taran and Elyria had held those traders that Taran was angry at. She shook her head in amazment at how young and child-like she was back then. Yet she would still make the same decision today. She would let the traders live.
"All right, this way. We're almost to Eoam."
Oranthor landed on the rocky shore as Zamah caught his fish.
Aye...we both know what it is like to live without your bondpartner. Let us hope we never have to go through it again.
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Post by Backabuth on Nov 9, 2008 15:09:25 GMT -5
Lathem nodded and turned his gaze toward the ever growing light of the sky. "We must hurry. 'Tis almost dawn."
Zamah growled loudly. No, let us make sure that it does not happen again. Coughing up the bones from the fish, Zamah spit into the ocean. (Yuck!) Then, cleaning out his maw, he took a swig of the salty liquid and gulped it down almost as fast as he did the fish.
To Lathem, Zamah said, I wish we could have lived her instead of the Spine. There is much more to do. Lathem's lips upturned with amusement, his eyes shining in the dark. Aye, but then we would have never met Jeriah and Oranthor. Zamah thought for a moment, then replied. Oh...that. Lathem smiled fully and tightened his grip on Jeriah's hand.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 9, 2008 16:17:39 GMT -5
Jeriah laughed, hearing the exchange between Lathem and Zamah. Then she looked upward to where she knew the Crystal wait floating. Oranthor flew expectantly to her side.
"All right, Lathem. From here on we have to fly. And make sure you're dressed warmly. It gets pretty cold up there, especially on a cold night such as this."
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Post by Backabuth on Nov 9, 2008 21:05:29 GMT -5
Lathem grinned at her. "I'll be fine. I'm hot already, am I not?" He winked at her, then called Zamah to his side. The large dragon landed with a thud, burning a large oak tree with his burning breath. Lathem raised his eyebrows at him and crossed his arms. What? It was an accident? Lathem grinned and bounded up to Zamah's back, nearly landing on a spike. "Let's go!"
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Post by Tismri on Nov 9, 2008 22:46:44 GMT -5
Jeriah grinned at Lathem as they rose together into the sky on their dragons, anticipation fluttering within her. They flew higher and higher until they saw a faint glow upward. The glow grew larger and larger until they saw that it was the Crystal. The Crystal reflected Jeriah's light in a thousand different ways. She expanded her mind until she felt the glorious presence of the Crystal's conciousness.
I have come, she told it.
Good, it replied, Now, I have a very important task for you and your husband. Far beyond the reaches of the sea, nigh upon the other side of the world, there is a country. The name of that land is Paonia.
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Post by Backabuth on Nov 11, 2008 11:47:09 GMT -5
Lathem blinked and smiled. Point us in the direction and we'll be out of your hair. Or crystalness.
OCC: Poor Lathem...the corny joke man. lol
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Post by Tismri on Nov 11, 2008 13:19:02 GMT -5
Jeriah laughed at Lathem's poor attempt at a joke. The Crystal seemed to emit laughter as well.
It is far beyond the edge of the sea that you can see. You and your dragons must fly for many leauges to get there. This country is in turmoil. It has been split into five different countries, named for their capital cities: Valashon, Cagak, Suman, Opaq, and Yatam. There are large mountains separating the countries of Yatam and Valashon, and there is a large forest surrounding the entire land. The five countries are each alternating between war and peace with each other. There is slavery and, in some places, unspeakable evil. Be wary as you go. Into this land, the first generation of Riders are coming into being. You must go and train them, explain exactly what it means to be a dragon and Rider. They Crystal fell silent, so Oranthor began his descent. Jeriah looked over at Lathem
"I must ask Nasuada before I can leave," she told him, "though I doubt she would not allow me to go."
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Post by Backabuth on Nov 11, 2008 15:03:26 GMT -5
Lathem nodded and looked back at the Crystal. Crystal? There's something that's been bothering me since I came to this world... Lathem felt Zamah mentally nudge him. Go on, little one. Lathem thought for a moment and tapped Zamah's scales. I want to know who my father really is, Crystal. I know the one that raised me is not my real father.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 11, 2008 17:49:30 GMT -5
It is not my place to tell you, the Crystal told him gently, Ask the one dearest to you, for she has been longing to tell you from the instant she learned of it.
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Post by Backabuth on Nov 16, 2008 1:24:39 GMT -5
Lathem raised his eyebrow, surprised. How would she know and not me? I didn't want her to learn of my past...'tis too painful to even think of. But how does she know? Lathem knew the Crystal wouldn't answer, but he didn't know what else to do.
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Post by Tismri on Nov 19, 2008 13:48:02 GMT -5
Jeriah and Oranthor landed in the woods on Beirland, and she dismounted. She noticed a troubled look on Lathem's face.
"What's wrong, love?" she asked him.
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Post by Backabuth on Nov 20, 2008 18:15:40 GMT -5
Lathem turned to her, giving his voice a soft edge. "When did you learn of who my father is? I don't even know..."
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