Madness

[Max452]

A geniune grin spread across Ian's face at Maude's words. She had called him tough. He blushed lightly as he took the kinder away to prepare the fire, enjoying her words and the attention she gave his cheek. He felt his body tingle pleasantly and if not for Castiel's sudden image of tearing into the stag's flesh, the boy would have stood there dumbly for a few more minutes. "I'll give you a quarter of the watch." He teased her as he went to make a small pit for the fire. Her words replayed themselves in his mind. She didn't think him weak! He happily started the fire by sparking against a rock and blowing lightly on it; he was a great magician, but Ian enjoyed doing things without magic as it taught him about the energy needed to perform things - he knew he grew stronger as he did things manually first before doing things with magic.

Once he finished starting the fire, Ian felt Maude approach. He stood and smiled at her as he handed him the food. He nodded in mock relunctance as he took them. "Okay." He led her to their set up beds and sat upon them, gesturing for Maude to sit as well as he took a bite of the food. "Perhaps Melian would have some food, if not, we can go hunting for all of them." Ian suggested as he laid on his back, propping the food on his chest as his arms went behind his head. He contemplated on what would happen tomorrow. "I hope everything will be okay." He confided in her as he then felt Castiel returning, having been filled to the brim. The dragon languinely landed back down, nestling his wings deftly to his side.
We're taking watch tonight! Castiel demanded, missing Maude's and Ian's earlier discussion. Castiel's comment caused Ian to chuckle.

[Trinn]

"We may very well need to do just that." Maude agreed, and thought of how amazing it would be to provide for the town. To be someone's hero. To have all those faces looking up at her with thankfulness and awe....

Let's not get prideful. Magda said, as she flew back into the campsite. She landed near Castiel, stomach visibly larger. They had hunted well tonight, Maude saw.

Thank you, Magda. I should try to be more humble, I know. Magda agreed as she lay down, eyes sliding shut already. Sleep well, huntress. Maude said, and could feel her bonds mind sliding into slumber. It made Maude feel sleepy, too. "Alright, Ian, I'm going to bed. Magda made me tired." she said, trying to blame her dragon. "Don't forget to wake me!" Kissing him on the cheek, Maude settled into her bedroll and closed her eyes. The sound of the crackling fire lured her into the realm of dreams.
***
OOC: Just a small skip through the night. haha

Morning broke peacefully over their small camp. Maude stirred from her stiff position in a tree branch. This was the day they would reach Melian... Feeling a surge of excitement, she hurried down the tree and over to Ian's sleeping form. "Ian, Magda, Castiel! Wake up, you lazy vagrants!"

[Max452]

OOC: No worries, I was trying to rush through the night, if you couldn't tell. lol. Let the fun begin!!! mwuahaha

Ian snapped his eyes open, having been use to sleeping lightly now. His hair was ruffled from sleeping, but his face was ever bright as he smiled up at Maude. "Lazy? I had to poke you awake last night!" He laughed as he got up and began packing for the remainder of their trip.

Castiel yawned himself awake and stretched his body out in preparation of today's flight. Mmm, I can't wait to get back into the sky! I wonder what Melian is like. Castiel commented to all present as Ian packed his things onto the saddle.

They had another quick breakfast of stale bread and meat before taking flight. Once they were all ready, Ian and Castiel bounded into the sky, smiling over their companions as they flew off together.

Hours passed when they finally spotted Melian; it looked downright ruined and desolate as Ian spotted some villagers. For a moment, it seemed like the specks below him were panicking at the sight of Castiel and Magda, making Ian worried that this attack was done by a dragon or worse... Instructing Castiel, they landed on the outskirts and motioned to the city cautiously.

Ian glanced over to Maude, a worried expression on his face as he spotted a group of men coming toward them with a mixture of weapons and farming tools.
"You won't take this city without a fight!" One of the men yelled at the Riders.
"We're from the New Doru Arabea; we come here to help." Ian lifted his hands cautiously at the threat before them. "We were sent by the Council of the Dragon Riders." Ian clarified and that seemed to ease the tension before them.
"Thank the Gods! We were attacked last week!" One of the other men proclaimed and soon, Ian found them swarmed with words, tears, and pleas as they were rushed into the city.

***
Selene sat, perched on a rock, eyes seemingly closed as she expanded her mind to the land before them. They have come. Selene opened her eyes and turned to Slade and the other companions with them.
"We attack tonight. Make the preparations." She spoke authortatively. "I want the head of those Riders." Her icy voice rang in the air as Slade growled out in agreement.

[Trinn]

The shadows of the two dragons passed over the town of Melian. Almost immediately, the townsfolk began running. Some threw themselves into their homes, others picked up weapons of varying degree and shook them up at Magda and Castiel. Maude was alarmed to spot a few of the townsfolk aiming arrows. Of course, they would never be able to hit the dragons, but it was still worrisome. Following Castiel, Magda flew to the edge of town and landed next to white-scales. Maude watched as the armed townsfolk came out of the town, trying to be threatening. They didn't fool her, though. Their faces were full of fear.

Dismounting, she took a stand next to Ian and let him do the talking. The townsfolk at last relaxed, and in time, were swarming around them. Maude felt hands pat her back and tug at her arms. Gestures of thankfulness and relief. She saw that Ian was getting treated likewise. The townsfolk kept their distance from Magda and Castiel, though. Dragons, no matter what side they were on, would always cause fear in the average masses.
~~~

The townsfolk rushed Maude and Ian to the one building that was still standing completely whole and unsinged. The tavern. She found herself standing in the center of the common room with Ian, with the townsfolk gathered in a rough circle around them. Almost everyone had come to show up and greet their saviors, and the Tavern had become hot and stuffy. Maude had ended up casting a small spell around her to keep her looking cool and fresh. It probably made her look out of place, as the men and women in the tavern all sported sweaty and greasy faces.

They all stared at Maude and Ian expectantly now. Earlier they had all been shouting over each other to be heard. That was until Maude had shouted above them and silenced them. Now, she glanced around the room, and spoke again, in a gentler voice. "I am Rider Maude, and this is my companion, Rider Ian. We've come to assist you in whatever way you need. But, first, we must know the nature of the attack. I thought I heard someone say your town was set upon by a large black dragon? Can one of you please step forward and clarify this, and the attack?"

[Max452]

Ian did not like crowds; he felt suffocated in the tavern. The young white Rider did his best to maintain his calm composure as they were shoved further into the tavern. He suddenly wished Eva was here to maintain the crowd as they shouted at them for answers and blessings. There was just so much noise! He was eternally grateful when Maude called for silence. He glanced at her from the side, a silent thank you in his eyes. Ian crossed his arms as he listened to Maude's introduction and called for an explanation. She was an amazing Rider, Ian thought. As Maude finished her inquiry, an older gentleman, Ian guessed maybe around 50 or 60 years old, left the mass and stood before them. He bowed before addressing them.

"Riders, my name is Fredrick. I am one of the towns-keepers here." The elderly man explained. "Nearly a fortnight ago, Melian was attacked by a large black dragon!" He glanced around him as others murmured their agreement. "It was dark....and the beast took us by surprise! We didn't have time to unleash a proper defense. Our town is nearly devastated, not to mention the other towns nearby; they're nearly destroyed." Fredrick looked terrified and sad. "They even had some men attack us as well; magick creatures! They took some of our people as prisoners! Please, Riders! Please save them and help us! We beg of you! We'll give you anything!" Fredrick pleaded with them.

Ian silently gulped. A black dragon. Men of magic. These were signs of the Shade Army. He glanced over at Maude, wondering if she thought the same. He turned his eyes back to the people, a sense of pity filled his soul. "We will help you, Fredrick, but we only request your help, nothing more. We need to know how many have been taken of you, and if there are enough supplies for your people. Also, if what you say is true, then we still may be in danger. We must set up a proper defense, if anything, or at least a watchtower." Ian suggested and glanced at Maude for input.

[Trinn]

"Agreed." Maude said, nodding at the plan of action Ian proposed. "I think placing a ward around the town while we get it set to rights again would be helpful, too. We can erect a watch tower within the day. It would be helpful if some of you townsfolk could take watch their while Rider Ian and I attend to the other matters. So, how many of your people were taken?"

"Six!" someone spoke up, from the back. "A couple families." Before an uproar could start again over the missing people, Maude quickly spoke again.

"Then we shall do our best to see if we can't retrieve these six people. We'll need your help in that. You should all gather your best warriors and prepare to travel within the week. During that time, your town should be on its feet again. What say you?" Maude didn't have the heart to add that there was a likely chance that those six people would never come back. If they were indeed swept away into the shade army, well, it would take an army to get them back.

[Max452]

OOC: And I think we shall fast forward to the fighting yes? lol

Fredrick nodded at the counsel from the two riders. "Yes! We can defintely help. We have good strong hands and we're ready to make those things pay for taking our families! Just tell us what to do!"

Ian nodded, glad that Maude was there with him to help him lead, feeling inadequate for the position. "Maude and I will cast the wards upon the town while the town focuses on rebuilding. I think it would be best if we gather a defense first, then have several other groups rebuild and tend to the wounded, as well as another group that will accumulate the supplies and distribute them properly to each household for now." Ian instructed, his thoughts focused on getting the area in a more suitable position to maintain itself should it be attacked again.

"Come on, Maude. Let's get the wards up." Ian told his companion as the groups began to disperse and form groups as the Riders instructed them to do. The day passed quickly, as many were all busy working and establishing a more organized defense than they had meagerly done so in the past few days. The people of Melian were grateful to the Riders, as they felt hope well within them for the first time in weeks.

After Ian had finished helping Maude with the wards, he went about helping to build a watchtower at the main entrance of the town; high enough for them to see miles. Castiel helped with wherever he could, whenever he wasn't distracted by the villigers oogling at him; Ian found that Castiel was quite the curious dragon, having asked the villigers many questions about Agleasia and their lives. As the young Rider continued to work, he had noticed that some of the young woman in the village staring at him weirdly; it made him feel uncomfortable - they would giggle and wave at him whenever he walked by. However, what really irritated Ian was whenever he spotted some of the young males trying to get Maude to talk to them; they were clearly flirting with her. Castiel assured Ian that the young miscreants wouldn't dare and that Maude was soley interested in Ian, so the young Rider had nothing to worry about, but teasingly declared that Ian was simply jealous. And stubbornly, Ian tried to claim he wasn't.

Once the major preparations were done, as well as the watchtower, Ian found himself at a cookpit for dinner. As he ate, he stared at a map of the town and was listing out the other tasks they needed to complete in order for the town to get back on its feet properly. As he was seated next to Maude, he turned to share with her the map he made for input. "They managed to get the well back up so water is no longer a problem. They have enough food for only a few more days, so I think we should go hunting soon." Ian then pointed at the fareast corner as he took a bite of the stew that was handed to him earlier, "Also, I think we should work on restructuring this area tomorrow - its far more vulnerable to attacks then the other entrances." Ian was explaining when he heard a loud horn being blown. Einarson glanced up, tense. That was the watchtower's warning horn.

Following the horn, a loud, piercing roar was heard. Ian glanced over to Maude. That was the sound of a dragon...a really big dragon.

[Trinn]

Maude glanced over at the map, as she took a spoonful of stew. She was tired from the days work, but eager to do more still. They had made fair progress in one day, and that gave her hope that the town would be war ready within the week. The faster they could end their time here, the faster they could begin helping the outlying villages.

The full, solid note of the horn caused Maude to stop mid-chew. Her eyes flashed towards the watchtower. On the heels of the horn came the roar of a dragon. A chill ran down her spine. The roar was a challenge. And it was bloodthirsty. Springing to action, Maude sat down her bowl and gestured at the men around her. "To arms!" she snapped, throwing a nearby sword at one of the men. "TO ARMS! Get to the entrances and get the woman and children inside!"

The men stared at her, as if dazed by fear. Her shouting seemed to rattle them a little, and they began doing as Maude said. Soon, Melian was bustling with activity. Magda appeared next to Maude, her ruby scales raised like hackles at her neck. "We'd best help the village from the sky. That dragon... We need to stop it!" she said to Ian, as she mounted her bond. Magda then jumped skyward, and Maude felt a thrill run through her. This would be her first real fight. She was eager to prove herself today.

[Max452]

"Agreed." Ian said hurridly as he ran passed frantic villagers to get to Castiel, who was waiting for him nearby. The Rider climbed quickly into the saddle as he heard panicked cries from children and women. His eyes caught sight of the men beginning to gather up their families in order to rustle them toward the designated safety point.

Another thunderous cry was heard and a massive black dragon appeared above the town of Melian, streaming fire from his mouth soon after. The wards around the city held true and the flames did not penetrate. Let's go, Cas! Ian urged his bond and felt his stomach flutter from the quick ascension upward.
No need to tell me twice! The dragon replied as he charged upward with a snarling challenge to their opponent. He was big! This was going to be a fun fight! Ian was apprehensive at first, as this would be his first battle, but the knowledge that Maude and Magda were fighting by his side, along with his bond, comforted him. The young Einarson darted his hands behind his back and pulled out his trusted swords.

Fresh meat! Come! I will devour you all! Slade's gnarled voice echoed into the night as he roared again, commanding their small force below to attack Melian. The warcry of the magical platoon sounded as they marched onward at Melian.

"Maude! They're attacking the city!" Ian yelled over to her once Castiel managed to catch up to Magda's pace. Confliction rang within his voice, as Ian worried over which threat to attack - did he leave Maude and Magda to fend off a more dangerous and powerful opponent or leave Melian to their destruction. His heart clenched. "Maude! Hold him off a bit! I'll take care of the forces below!" Ian yelled upward and with a unwilling whine, Castiel swerved downward, letting out a stream of fire at the evil forces.

[Trinn]

Maude looked over Magda's shoulder, observing the army that marched towards Melian. The soldiers looked common, but no doubt they were better trained than the townsfolk. She looked then to Ian, conflict in her own eyes. The black dragon was even larger than she had expected. He would be a difficult foe to best. And by herself... a cold fist of fear lodged in her stomach. Melian had to be protected, though. "Go!" she shouted at Ian. She watched as Castiel dipped down out of the sky, towards the enemy soldiers, white scales glinting in the new flames springing to life.

Steeling herself, Maude faced the foe rider. The dragon was indeed immense, and she could barely see the rider as a tiny figure atop the dragon's back. Come, Magda. Let's us have a good fight. Magda liked the sound of that, and she released a challenging roar. The would need to draw the dragon away from the city. It would give the townsfolk below relief to deal with the other soldiers.

Flying fast now, Magda darted towards the black dragons underbelly. She soared underneath, turning upside down and raking her talons at the soft belly flesh, before turning right side up again and flitting away. Her small size gave her the advantage of speed.

[Max452]

The stream of fire managed to burn some of the attackers, but not many, as Ian soon realized that they had warded themselves. Castiel let out another roar and more flames as he created a fiery trench to block the assailants from entering Melian. Ian unsheathed his swords, a look of anxiety was briefly on his face as he thought about Maude and Magda, but vanished when he concentrated on protecting Melian. Castiel dipped downward, in front of the blazing blockade he had created; standing in between it and the oncoming army.

Ian hopped off of Castiel quickly and glared at the savage looking army; a mixture of different races, but mostly consisting of humans. They charged at and pass him, hoping to take Melian, but the Rider was quick for his age and he too, charged into the battle, hoping to stop the onslaught and return to Maude's side.

***
Slade let out a roar of irritation as he felt his underbelly draw blood. The black dragon snapped his jaws at Magda's retreating form, barely missing. You little runt! I'll devour you whole! Slade cried out, spewing hot flames at Magda out of anger.

Selene narrowed her eyes at the young Riders, feeling something familiar about their presence, but not quite pinpointing it. She said nothing, allowing Slade to handle the nuisances vocally. "Jierda." Selene held her hand outward toward Magda's retreating form, intending to break the dragon's wings. She felt the familiar tingling sensation of energy as the magic coursed through her to complete her request.

[Trinn]

The searing flames licked at Magda's body, but wards prevented any major damage. Still, Maude could feel her skin instantly drying out from the sheer heat of the dragon fire. "Shield us from danger!" She cried out in the ancient language, spotting a flash of black magic from the enemy rider. Maude succeeded only in stopping half of the damage. The wards prevented Magda's right wing from snapping completely, but their was still an audible crunch as cartilage broke and the wing became sprained. Magda roared out in pain, and her flight dipped dangerously.

Snarling, Maude first cast further wards around herself, to protect from another attack against the rider and dragon. She then, as quickly as possible, healed the brunt of Magda's wounded wing. The ruby dragon regained her speed and shot back into the sky, soaring high. Maneuvering lithely, Magda barrel rolled, so that she was charging the black dragon. We have to lead them away! Maude warned.

And I shall! Magda replied, but there was a fervor in the dragons voice that Maude had not heard before. She feared her dragon was letting the anger and challenge of the fight get the best of her.

Maude held her breath as Magda brought them closer and closer to their mammoth opponent. Seemingly at the last instant, Magda dove down, below the black beast. She shot between the dragon's two front legs, swinging her tail up at the large dragon's belly, where earlier her talon had drawn small spots of blood.

[Max452]

Clever girl. Selene mused as she watched Maude place wards upon herself and her dragon. Get rid of them, Slade. Selene commanded as she crossed her arms across her chest, seemingly bored of this fight. These younglings were nothing. Katriana would have no trouble invading this land, and Bromsland for that matter, with the skills these new Riders possessed.

Slade growled out dangerously as Magda charged at them. He opened his large maw, seemingly inviting the dragon to come closer. Yes! Come, runt! I'll eat you now! He chomped his maw at them and swiped a mighty claw at the crimson dragon as she dove below them. Slade growled again. He whipped his giant body about, annoyed that his size had decreased his speed over the years. He would have already had the runt's tail in his mouth if it was a few years ago. Instead, he cried out again from the beast's spiked tail. Slade retaliated by swiveling his giant tail at the dragon, whilst shooting out flames again. Slade tucked his wings inward slightly, to gain a more lithly manuever as he chased after Magda.

***
Below the aerial battle, Ian and Castiel were having their own troubles as the young Rider and dragon were being overwhelmed by the numerous magicians in the enemies' ranks. Although, Ian was gifted with high magical skills, he had never battled so many magicians before, and it was beginning to tax him. Castiel, roared everso often as he charged and charred their enemies.

Ian swiped his two swords down at an opponent, embedding his swords into the boy's chest; no older than himself by the looks of it. He stared, shocked and fearful as he watched the boy's eyes flicker to darkness. He had never before watched a person die before and that shook him to the core. Ian backed away, scared of what he had done. His hands shook and he wondered what was happening to him. Why had he killed a boy? Why were they fighting? Doubt began to fill him and he was half contemplating to run for it when a dagger nearly sliced his left eye out of his skull.

Ian cried out in pain and backpeddled in retreat. His left hand pressed against his eye, feeling the blood seeping out. That seemed to shock him back into his sanity and he remembered his purpose, but he could not forgot the look the boy gave him when he killed him all the same. Ian returned to battle, slashing and fighting back their enemies. His fear of killing still stuck with him and he found himself on the constant defense and using magic to sail the enemy backwards. What kind of rider was he? To be afraid of killing someone? Was he even worthy of this now? He had blood on his hands...he was unclean...that didn't sound like a worthy rider to him...how was he to save Melian now?

[Trinn]

The tail clipped Magda's shoulder, sending her into a brief but dizzying roll through the sky. Maude closed her eyes, feeling, for the first time ever while riding a dragon, the urge to vomit. When Magda finally righted herself, Maude's stomach still felt like it was turning. "Go!" She shouted, spotting the black dragon closing in on them. Magda snarled and pumped her wings vigorously. The black dragon had momentum now, and Magda had a harder time in gaining any ground against him. Maude inspected her bonds shoulder as best she could, noting that a good clump of scales had been scraped clean, exposing bare muscle. An echo of that pain reverberated in Maude's shoulder.

Gripping Reona, Maude looked back at the oncoming dragon. "I want to try something!" she shouted at Magda, then, quickly, related her plan mentally. At first Magda argued, but, eventually, she gave in.

Putting on a burst of speed, Magda again rolled, doubling back, so that she came at the foe dragon again. This time she climbed high, soaring above it's head. She hovered then, spewing bright red flames at him and his rider, trying to blind them with the light of it. In that instant, that small window of opportunity, Maude released herself from the saddle and slipped off Magda's side. She plummeted through the sky, her white hair billowing up. She hoped her fall would go unnoticed, as she attempted to land on the black dragon's back.

[Max452]

Selene and Slade cried out in irritation at their momentary blindness. In their anger and blindness, they failed to notice the young girl that fell from the crimson dragon. Selene's thought reverted back to the final battle against Galbatorix, when Slade was momentarily blinded as well by that traitorous Rider, Diana. In this recollection, Selene snapped. She had vowed never to allow Slade to be harmed that way again. With that she hefted out her claymore. "You will pay for this slight, RIDER!" Selene yelled out, a crazed look in her eye as she thought about the past. "Kill them, Slade. And make it painfully slow." She commanded.

Slade shook his head, trying to regain his vision as he tried to dodge the flames. He felt the scorching heat and cried out in pain as his left side was harmed, his black scales bristled. They would pay! Following Selene's sentiments, Slade buckled and charged with all the speed he possessed at the crimson dragon. TIME TO DIE! He yelled out.

***
Blind sided by the blood flowing from the left side of his face, Ian continued to defend the best he could, despite his doubts and fears. he would not let Melian down. He would not let Maude down. He had to hurry, else Maude and Magda would be in danger. He felt Castiel get wounded in the shoulder by a spear and cried out from his bond's pain. Ian charged onward, hoping to stop the seemingly endless troops.

***
Hurry, Hyperion! I can smell death! Seth, urged his dragon as they appeared above the battlefield for Melian. Attack their flanks! Hyperion obliged and sent a large, spiral of flames on the backends of the army, confusing them as they were now being attacked from both ends.
Help your friend, Seth and Hyperion. We shall go and aid the red rider. Locien replied as he and Sidhion went to help Maude and Magda. Sidhion uttered a quick spell, making himself invisible as he spotted a white haired girl landing quietly on the Black dragon as the beast frenzied itself toward Magda.

High above the battle below them, Sidhion jumped off of his saddle and soared down, intending to help the young girl fight against the Dragon Slayer. Locien, on the otherhand dove down speedily, intending to crash against Slade.