Love is a Battle Worth Winning

[✧♏arie✧]

Amber gracefully angled her wings and landed beside Shiroryuu with a thump that would be considered quiet for a dragon of her size. She found herself wondering how much larger and heavier dragons could sneak up on anything with the loud landings they made, but she guessed the smaller dragons thought the same about her. That is what I had in mind. She said in reply.

Marie slashed with inhuman speed and her blade met with an urgal's heart. She watched him fall before seeing the gap in the crowd around her be replaced with another muscular body. Then she turned to meet her sword with one racing toward her throat. Marie slipped her own around her opponent's weapon allowing it to pass beside her arm, then ended the urgal's life with a cut to his neck. She quickly ducked to avoid a spear and flung the dead urgal's sword into the skull of another.

Now Marie was starting to grow annoyed of the circle they continued to form around her. She muttered a word on instinct and a blast of energy from her palm flung four urgals on their backs, killing two. Marie ducked under weapons to escape the group and stopped to fight no more than ten feet away from Baviel.

[ϟ ßaviel ϟ]

OOC: sorry small post from me D: but im glad u got to post again Marie

As the battle continued for Baviel and Marie, Baviel felt the strain of the fight taking more effect on him in his endurance. As he dispatched his latest opponent he gritted his teeth as he felt his arms ache in pain from the blows the Urgals gave him in the exchange. As he backed up slightly he noticed Marie was closer by him and said, "This dance ill suits me shall we end this soon my love?" he turned to look at her with a smile showing a little bit of exhaustion on his face as he turned to kill another Urgal that wished to fight him.

Shiroryuu nodded when he heard Amber's reply then laid down on the ground. As he laid on the ground he let out a deep sigh as he let his wings fold to his sides, then turned his attention to Amber and said, Alright Amber what would you like to talk about? Any questions in particular? He looked into her giant golden eye wondering if she had something she was itching to ask or wishing to play with him some more.

[✧♏arie✧]

OOC: Sorry about that, I've been rather inactive lately. Summer's been keeping me out. ^^ Oh, and Amber's eyes are blue. Just because they are blue in my profile pic.

A rather fast urgal aimed a blow for Marie. While leaping out of the way, another urgal managed to cut her shin. Marie drove her sword into his neck instead of wincing. The cut was not too large and a tear in her pant leg surrounded it. Marie left it be in order to not waste any time. She grinned to Baviel in reply and a few moments later a blast of blueish light reduced the urgal's numbers to six. It missed the one with the giant hammer-club by inches. "You mean like that?" The spells tired Marie slightly, but she still had enough energy for plenty more spells.

Marie scaned the area for good chances to strike. "This might be interesting..." She said aside to Baviel before whispering one of her favorite spells quietly that was hard for ears to catch. An enemy charged at what he thought was Marie. Her figure turned into gray smoke when the urgal thrust a sword through her gut. When the smoke disapeared the sword was held in open air. Marie materialized behind him, unharmed by the sword, and her blade came out the front of the urgal's chest.

Here is something to discuss; what do you think about how some empire dragons have their growth quickened? It could be useful in battle, but I'd say it is wrongful. I've seen dragons nearly big enough to breathe fire that possess the mind of a hatchling. Amber said in reply after thinking for a moment. She looked at her friend curiously, waiting for an answer.

[ϟ ßaviel ϟ]

Shiroryuu tilted his head somewhat when he heard Amber's discussion topic and said, I find it rather redundant for Galbatorix to do such a thing to a dragon sense the mind never ages with the body therefore losing any time you would of had to learn how to use your older body as you grew up. When you lose that time to get used to your body you lose any familiarity you would of had with your body making it feel unknown therefore rather pointless to be in an adult body when your mind is, but a mere hatchling.

Shiroryuu continued to look into Amber's eyes as they laid there together and then asked, I'm curious as to what brought that topic up. he tapped her with a wing as a tease when he asked her. Baviel turned to his love when he heard her say how interesting it was getting for them and couldn't help, but to agree.

He then barely heard her say something in the ancient language though he couldn't quite catch the words and saw his love disappear and reappear in what felt like seconds and watched a Urgal fall to her blade once more. He laughed before fighting an Urgal himself and yelled to her, "Remind me to never get you mad!" he laughed as he in stepped into an Urgal when the Urgal swung at him, going into the vulnerable part, and swung with both arms cutting the Urgal open nearly going all the way through him.

After seeing the Urgal fall, Baviel felt his breath grow even more ragged then before and felt his arms turn into lead. Man I didn't think a small amount of Urgals would bring me to this ragged state. Gritting his teeth in small frustration he forced his arms up in his stance watching the Urgals to see which one dared to fight them again.

OOC: sorry for how long it took me to make this post x.x work does that to me though but at least i posted

[✧♏arie✧]

Not to mention the danger oversized hatchlings would be in if they were to combat with other dragons. Lack of experience might lead them into fights they cannot win with their less developed skill or give them over-confidence. Being larger or stronger may sometimes make you bigheaded. Smaller, yet older dragons could out-smart or out-wise them as well with their knowledge. Amber thought of many more reasons, but stopped after Shiroyruu asked how she had thought of the topic. I am not so sure, it was the first idea I thought of out of a small list of them. Now, what would you like to interrogate me about? Amber asked, turning one eye so it faced Shiroryuu.

Baviel's comment caused Marie to grin while trying to shout something back to him, but she had to either dodge or get a giant hammer-club in the face. She slipped away just in time to watch the weapon pass her shoulder and rise for another blow. Marie managed to get away once again before she stopped to look at the four urgals that remained. Marie dodged another blow and began to speak to the urgal. "Your numbers are very low and you might as well give up. Are you not allied with the varden?" The urgal grunted and started aiming stronger and faster blows at Marie. "That's how it is, then you die." She doged over and over again while looking for an opening to strike since her much lighter sword did not work well against his much heavier and larger weapon.

OOC: It's fine, I've taken much longer. XP

[ϟ ßaviel ϟ]

Baviel felt his chest heaving as his arms finally protested in using his sword. Cursing, Baviel lifted his sword one last time cleaving the last Urgal in front of him then knelt on the ground to catch his breath while trying to take what little energy he stored in his jewel on his pommel.

After stealing the tiny amount of energy form the jewel he raised himself and his sword up to a fighting position once more going to help Marie defeat the chief. When he got close to the chief he swung his sword to the Urgals arm hoping to either lop it off or to catch him into a temporary lock to give Marie time to kill him. When he swung he shouted to Marie, "Get ready love."

Shiroryuu nodded sagely in agreement to Amber's answer and began to chuckle when he heard her reason to ask it. When she asked what he wished to know more about her he began to draw a blank, but then thought of a very small question and asked, Amber what compels you to call me by my nickname my rider calls me? tilting his head as he looked into her giant blue eye as he waited patiently for her answer feeling bad for not knowing a better question to ask.

OOC: im TERRIBLY sorry for being gone this long i got a new computer and work was a pain in my butt :/ but yay for post

[✧♏arie✧]

OOC: Meh, I took a while to reply now as well. At least it's long.

In mid-swing the chief urgal took the hit. A large and deep cut on his arm showed where it damaged him. The hammer crashed into the dirt where Marie had been a second ago. The urgal howled and aimed a powerful kick at Baviel with his nearest leg. While the hammer was still down, Marie jumped on and held it down. She hacked at the long wooden handle just below the metal, but her sword only chipped the wood. Another hard swing and the handle splintered apart.

The chief looked at his hammer, which was now a stick. The weapon could have worked if it had splintered more and been sharper. In his brief moment of distration Marie drove her sword into his shoulder below the bone. Marie heard a howl, then the stick hit the side of her head. Her sword slid out of the urgal's body, and Marie fell on her back. The stick had not done much damage, but it still hurt. Marie jumped on her feet to be in a good position to block, but the urgal made no move. He stood, breathing hard, a few feet away from Marie. Blood ran from his shoulder and made his clothes wet. If they couldn't kill him, they could wait for him to bleed to death.

Oddly, Marie felt sorry for the chief. She had no clue why she felt this way for something that attacked her. "Are you going to stop attempting to kill us, now?" Marie asked. The urgal tossed his useless weapon toward Baviel, missing him by inches. Marie wondered if that was meant to be a reluctant surrender, but stood her ground. Suddenly, the urgal lunged forward and wrapped a big hand around Marie's neck. Her eyes widened before she was shoved to the ground. Marie gasped for air and ended the chief's life by stabbing through his heart. The grip loosened, and Marie slipped out. "Guess not..." Marie sighed and rubbed her neck while standing up.

Amber mentally chuckled. It is very amusing to see your reaction. I guess you won't be so surprised now that I told you. Amber turned her head to look at Shiroryuu with one eye. She winced after a sudden pain beat against her head, and looked in the direction of her rider when another hurt her neck. Amber brushed Marie's mind, concerned and careful to not distract her. If she was still fighting, Amber thought it would be wise to not distract Marie. Even if she is not easily distracted in fights. It seems that our riders are fighting something. Marie just took a blow. Amber explained. Should we go back?

[ϟ ßaviel ϟ]

Baviel noticed the chief made no move to block his sword, but saw his sword merely cut his arm, even though deep, and knew he couldn't be much help now. After the urgal missed his blow Baviel barely managed to jump somewhat before the chief's foot hit him, though the jump saved him from breaking much, and the air being kicked out of him as he flew a good foot or two.

Gasping for air he felt his chest had a few bruised ribs and a fracture in one knowing it would be a problem later. As he fought to get back up he heard fragments of Marie's conversation with the chief, something about surrendering to them then heard his love gasping for air a bit as well. Unsure what had transpired he managed to kneel before pain lanced through his chest as he groaned in pain cursing the fact he was injured this bad.

Shiroryuu rolled his eyes at Amber's reply then winced as pain erupted in his chest, turning to the direction Baviel and Marie were, knowing his rider was in pain. When Amber mentioned if they should go there he was already taking flight as he called out, Keep up if you can Amber. He mentally laughed to her showing that he wasn't entirely worried about their riders, though he was somewhat concerned as to what had dared harm his bond in such a way as he sped his way towards his rider.

OOC: yes well at least there is that though mine aren't the greatest in length lol

[✧♏arie✧]

OOC: They were until I started writing more. I should have wrote that Baviel's sword cut the chief's arm to the bone. Opps. Twice in one day! Yay!

Amber leaped into the air and sped forward. She flew under Shiroryuu, passing him when she flew out from under him and above his height. I can keep up just fine. Although she was small, Amber was known for being quick and agile in flight and on land. Amber flew high in an arch and angled downward in a partial dive. Her wings cut through the air with ease.

As Marie stood, her head throbbed where the urgal's stick had hit her. Her head spun a little and it took a bit to focus. Marie's head stopped throbbing so much and her vision returned to normal. Around her, the urgals lay dead in what had been the battlefield. Marie turned around and saw Baviel strugle to get up. It was apparent that it was his chest which pained him. Marie walked to him, her cut shin protesting the strain. She quickly used the spell to heal whatever was wrong with his chest. Once Marie was finished, she set her sword by a rock that she sat on to take some energy from her gem.

Amber angled her wings to slow herself and landed by Marie. Some urgals were lying dead in the area. Marie had bruises forming on one side of her forehead and on her neck. A cut on her shin was bleeding and had started to stain her pants. Baviel seemed more beat up and tired.

Marie saw her bond land while healing the annoying cut. You are a bit late if you meant to fight.
Aren't these urgals allied with us? Amber asked.
I thought so, but they attacked us anyways. Marie looked around at the dead urgals.
Maybe they didn't know you were varden riders. Amber guessed.
I don't think so. They only came after you left.
Why didn't you call me back?
Well, we decided that we would let you two have some fun. Marie explained. Amber nodded, but didn't comment futher. "Baviel, are you alright, now?" Marie asked with concern. She went back to sit beside him.

[ϟ ßaviel ϟ]

OOC: yup i love my day off and ya it helps writing more XD

Baviel, feeling pain from breathing, looked up when he heard footsteps and saw his love walk over to him. When she got close he heard ancient language and then felt relief in his chest knowing she healed him. When she sat down on a rock he breathlessly said, "Thank you love, the fight took a bigger tole on me then I thought." barely laughing to show he was glad it was over then sat down on the ground to catch his breath and strength.

Shiroryuu continued to speed on towards his rider as Amber passed him only trying to get to his bond to the best of his speed. When he got there, a little after Amber, he landed by Baviel feeling relief when he was his bond relaxing, and couldn't conjure up a arguement to him sense his bond was worn out.

Sighing mentally Shiroryuu laid down close to his bond, but next to Amber to give Baviel and Amber their time alone some more. When Marie sat next to him, Baviel looked at her with a worn out smile and said, "I am still glad to be on your side love, but I'm even more glad that I can share my love with you." He chuckled softly as he grasps her hand softly while he sat comfortably next to her as he slowly relaxed.

[✧♏arie✧]

Marie smiled warmly in response, but did not speak. Instead, she leaned against Baviel's side. Like many people say, actions speak louder than words. Marie's mind drifted as she stared at her and Baviel's hands. Marie thought of how the urgals fought even to their deaths. She wondered why they would fight to this extent. Even if they had too much to drink, Marie did not think they were so out of their minds that they would fight like they did. "Do you think they were sent to kill us?" Marie blurted after a long moment of thinking. As soon as she did, Marie wished she hadn't. She guessed this would probably ruin the moment.

Why would you ask that? Amber seemed curious.
"When the last of them attempted to slay me it seem more like something he had to do, not for revenge or for the mere desire for bloodshed." Marie quit leaning on Baviel so she would not be talking into him.
Urgals are an aggressive race. Amber commented quickly before scooping up a tasty-looking rabbit which had come too close. Amber extended her thoughts so the others could hear her side of the conversation since Marie was already speaking out loud.
"I told you. It did not seem like that." Marie watched the rabbit go down Amber's throat and added a joking "Hungry?" privately.

OOC: This gave me an idea.

[ϟ ßaviel ϟ]

Baviel game a warm smile in return, before holding her gently as she gently leaned against his side. Feeling his cheek warm up as she did so he couldn't help, but to enjoy her warmth against him. As he drifted absently into thought he felt Marie lift herself off his side and heard her mention how odd the Urgals acted, even in a drunken state.

He couldn't help, but notice the same thing though he couldn't think much of it sense he was still somewhat exausted from the fight itself. Even Shiroryuu was somewhat intreged by the thought of the Urgals being ordered, or what seemed like it, to kill them. Yawning, Baviel still grasped Marie's hand as he said, "I couldn't agree more love, but at this moment, we can't really find out much sense the Urgals practically committed suicide attacking us, causing our only lead to go down with death's embrace."

He looked at her with somewhat calculating, yet tired eyes, smiling warmly he said, "All we can do love is either find out where they came from or wait until tomorrow and find out what to do from there. I don't know about you, but I could sure use the rest first." chuckling softly still grasping Marie's hand softly and lovingly brushing the back of her hand with a thumb gently.

Shiroryuu couldn't help rolling his eyes when he knew his rider was still feeling rather loving around Marie and redirected his attention to Amber and said, Well Amber I see your snack found itself next to you, asking to be devoured, shall we let our rider's retire from their somewhat tiring fight? showing amusement from the fact a rabbit dared go near any dragon while he flicked his tail at Amber playfully.

OOC: hehe don't you love it when you get an epiphony at random?

[✧♏arie✧]

OOC: Yep.


"The truth died with them." Marie commented. She wondered if the urgals were indeed sent to murder them. Most urgals are allies, but it is likely that there are plenty spies hidden in the Varden's ranks. I doubt the urgal chief was a spy, but it is possible that they could have been under another's command. Marie thought to herself.

Marie's thoughts retreated a moment after Baviel's comment. "Yes, I do believe a rest is in order." She replied before leaning against Baviel's side to feel his warmth. Marie felt something brush her shin by the ripped material. A bee crawled on her open skin, and Marie shooed it away gently with her free hand. "I will have to mend that later." she muttered quietly. "Would you enjoy some fresh honey, Baviel? I spotted their hive in the tree I had climbed earlier. If you are able to touch their small minds in order to calm them, they might spare some of their prize."

I'm sure a rest would do them good. There is a small group of deer closer than any other large prey if you wish for a snack. The group is merely two does and a buck. I am not in need of food, so I probably will not be hunting them. Amber commented while stretching a wing and stopping it before it bumped Shiroryuu.

OOC: Yay, I just set up a scene which will produce a longer post. ;D

[ϟ ßaviel ϟ]

OOC: yay

Baviel sighed as he pondered on what happened just now agreeing with Marie on the fact that death has won this day sense the truth on their attackers intent has escaped with them. Even if Urgals are our allies, it seems some have intents to attack us... or someone else is pulling the strings to them like a puppetmaster would any other puppet. Shrugging the thought aside knowing nothing much would come out of it by thinking about it now.

Baviel smiled warmly at Marie when she agreed with him on rest and embraced her softly as she leaned against his side enjoying her prescence and warmth. He then noticed Marie shoo away what looked like a bee when it was on the cut on her leg agreeing on the fact healing it will be necessary soon.

Smiling still, Baviel nodded to Marie's comment on honey saying, "Aye honey sounds good I shall calm them to the best of my ability when you need me to, sense honey is pleasant on bread, if we still have some anyway." he chuckled at the comment, but kept still just enjoying the fact he can stay next to his love at the moment.

OOC: apologizes madam work is being quite unkind to me sense free time seems scarce, but YAY for post!!

[✧♏arie✧]

OOC: lol. I meant that Marie would have to mend the rip that was over the cut in her pants, but almost the same thing.

"Now you tempt me." Marie said, grinning. "We should get some before another hungry being comes along." Marie slipped away from Baviel, and started heading toward the bees' tree. Before going far, Marie glanced back to see if Baviel would follow.

The tree's tall branches loomed over her as Marie climbed up toward the hive. A strand of light brown hair hung next to her left eye when Marie looked up. The hive hung on a thick branch away from the tree's trunk. Already, Marie could hear the hum of many bees. Marie felt her mind come in contact with thousands of small insect minds. She gave off a clam feeling before climbing out to the hive. Even in a calmed state, the bees were defensive and angry toward Marie. "I will not hurt you." Marie said in the ancient language. It was difficult to communicate with the bees' little minds, but Marie made them understand. The bees did not undrstand the words, but the meaning of the sentence as most animals do. Marie then asked if she could take some of their honey, and promised to take only a small amount. The wild and angry buzzing switched back to the calm hum that Marie had heard earlier. She enlarged the opening slightly and reached in the hive while some of the bees scattered out of the way and others waited outside the opening. Marie broke off some of their honeycomb, but only enough for a snack. Then, she repaired the hive's opening with a quick spell.

With the honey comb in hand, Marie climbed down the tree. She kept her golden liquid prize well away from braches until she jumped to the ground with a quiet thud. Marie held up the honey comb for Baviel's eyes to study. The liquid stuck to the comb and seemed to dance with the sunlight that ran through it.