Journey to Find the Lost

[Trinn]

Eva had tried to avoid this. But here she stood again, at the entrance to Antien's smithy. She had come to acquire a dozen or so arrows for the journey she intended to make. Normally, she would have made her own. However, the journey had been a rather sudden thing, and time was no longer with her. But, there was also the fact that she wanted to say goodbye to Antien once more before departing. Who knew how long it would take to find Glory? But find her Eva must. She felt responsible for her cousins absence. They had been together that night, and somehow, Glory had been gone in the morning. Why? And did Glory willingly leave? That just couldn't be. And yet, Eva was astounded and dismayed that something could have happened during the night and Eva had not even noticed. She was both incredibly guilty and angry.

Steeling herself, she walked inside and looked around for Antien. She found him almost immediately, bent at work. "Hello, Antien." She said, smiling just a little. "I was wondering if perhaps you had any arrows that I could purchase? I'm making a rather long journey, and I need to equip myself as well as possible."

[Max452]

Antien was working in the hot forge, hammering down a piece of steel that would be crafted into a broadsword. One of the Riders, named Sebastian had requested it. In the elf's opinion, Sebastian would do well with a longsword, but the inexperienced rider seemed out to prove that flaunting around his suppose strength was what a Rider was suppose to be. Well, the young boy would need to learn and so, Antien was bent over his work, hammering away. He had long ago abandoned his tunic, a habit he had formed since he worked in the forge (OOC: hahaa, I couldn't help but pick on Eva lol), and was covered in charcoal and sweat. His sensitive ears picked up footsteps and Antien glanced up. He smiled when his eyes met with Eva's.
"Eva, it is good to see you today." He sincerely told her as he placed the steel into the water to cool. It sizzled for a few moments before Antien removed it and began pounding on the steel again; he had to do it quickly or the steel wouldn't be able to mold properly if he stopped to talk to Eva. So, the elf opted to talk to the young rider as he worked. "Ah, I would be happy to make you arrows. How many would you like and what journey would be taking you away from New Doru Arabea?" He asked her, his eyes glancing over to her briefly as he pounded his hammer into the steel.

[Trinn]

Of course he wasn't wearing a shirt, Eva thought wryly. She had caught him before like this. In a fiery forge, shirts were merely an inconvenience. Yet, no matter how often she saw him shirtless, her longing for him only grew. Rather than daydream, though, this time she was all business. "I was thinking at least a dozen." She said, waving a hand. "I would make them myself, but, time is of the essence, and who better to make arrows quickly than you, master smith?" she said, unable to help complimenting him. "And my journey... I suppose you've heard about the young rider who has gone missing? Gloriann?" Eva paused, licking her lips, which had become suddenly dry in the intense heat of the forge. "Well, she went missing while I was with her. It was our first mission as riders. We went together. On our return trip, I woke up one morning and she was gone. Simply vanished." A sad look crossed her face, but there were no tears. She had cried enough already. "I intend to go and find her. I should have been awakened to help her. I should have been there for her. But I wasn't. I was sleeping." The last word came out bitterly. "That is my mission. Not only is she my comrade, but she is my cousin. Some have said that Glory has been captured by the shade rider. If so, I will kill the shade and rescue Glory." Eva didn't put voice to her inner misgivings. For instance, the fact that Glory might have willingly fled during the night to join the shade. It was too horrid an idea to be given much weight. Glory wouldn't do that. But another voice, deep inside her, said differently.

[Max452]

Though the pounding of the hammer against the steel reverberated within the blacksmith's workshop, Antien could easily hear Eva's words. He nodded to her order. "Aye, then at least a dozen you shall have, Eva." He glanced up, his bright grey eyes smiling at her. They narrowed slightly when she began speaking of her mission. Ah, so she was going after Gloriann and Sundavar. It was well known among those that guarded and maintained New Doru Arabea that young Rider Gloriann and Sundavar had gone missing on her mission. It was also a common belief that she was either captured or had joined the rising Shade Army. This would be a dangerous mission for Eva and Eos and that was unsettling for Antien.

He continued to hammer, listening to Eva. He could hear the tightness of regret in her voice. He stopped pounding, neglecting the sword as he heard her bitterness. His eyes snapped up at her. His grey eyes burned with a fiery intensity that was mixed in with an understanding heart. Eva was not responsible for Gloriann and Sundavar's appearance. People died everyday; it was the nature of things. True, Gloriann and Sundavar may be alive, but that did not mean that Eva should burden herself with unearned guilt. She needed to understand that life was unexpected. All one can do is prepare and react as best they could. No fault was to be placed in this situation, only a lesson learned. After she finished speaking, did Antien unleash his thoughts. "It was not your fault, Eva." His voice was soft, but stern. "You could not have known what would have happened. It happened, but you must not feel guilty for this. It is not your fault." He tossed his hammer aside, the broadsword completely forgotten as he moved toward Eva. "Live not in the past, learn from it, but do not linger on it. It will drive you into madness." He stood right before, staring down at her. "This mission of yours, will not be an easy task." He didn't know why he felt overprotective of her. "Is anyone else going with you, besides Eos?" He asked.

[Trinn]

OOC: Antien made me feel better.

When Antien approached Eva, she had to turn her eyes away from him. She found her thoughts became muddled when he was too close. And now, she had to concentrate. Yet she could sense his closeness, and she wanted, now, nothing more than to reach out and touch him. He so wise, so strong, and kind. He was everything a man could be. "We are going alone." She stated, now daring to meet his eyes. They were like grey points of light that she wanted to stare at forever. "We don't want to burden anyone else with the task. It is our responsibility, Antien. Though you try to convince me otherwise." And almost convince her he had. Antien was incredibly eloquent with his words, and the wisdom he put into them was enough to probably convince anyone else. But Eva was already set on her course. "Thank you for your conern, Antien. I appreciate it, more than you know." A sigh escaped her, and Eva backed away from him. "I should leave you to your work now. When should I be back to get the arrows? And don't worry, I'll have coin to pay!"

[Max452]

OOC: I'm glad! He's words are true! Cause they're mine! ahaha

Antien sighed softly. "You cannot do this alone, Eva." He reached out and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder before she had the chance to walk away from him. "I will not accept your payment, Eva, but I will accept something else. If you will not heed my words, then it is only logical that I go with you." Antien told her firmly. "That is the payment for your arrows." He told her smugly as he faced her. "I will not accept anything else." He removed his hand to cross his arms over his chest. "Is that acceptable, my dear Eva?"

[Trinn]

Antien's proposal was more than acceptable, Eva thought. Traveling across Alagaesia with the man she had been swooning over for months now? It would be perfect. Yet Eva hesitated. She didn't want to risk his life. You should accept his proposal. Eos said then, surprising Eva.

What... but I thought you didn't like him?

He is one of the best warriors alive. With him on our side, we will have more chance at success. Eva frowned a bit. Was Eos saying they couldn't handle this mission by themselves? No matter, with Eos giving her blessing, Eva was more than willing to accept Antien's proposal. "Are you sure about that?" She asked, giving him a chance to back out. "The journey is sure to be fraught with peril. And we will be traveling on wing. I don't know if you'd be able to handle it..."

[Max452]

Antien watched Eva's expressions as she contemplated on his offer. He gave her a stubborn nod. "I am absolutely sure." He raised a humored eyebrow. Was Eva concerned about him or was did she truly think him incapable? "With all due respect, Argetlam Eva," Antien purposely called her so, his voice borderlining humor and sterness, "I have more experience in the art of war and death to last me a millenia." He uncrossed his arms. "And on the matter of being on dragonback, well, would you not be pleased to have an excuse for me to cling to you?" He smirked at her, letting her know that he was fully aware of her infatuation with him. Before she could respond, he retreated back into the depth of his forge. "Meet me here in two hours. I will have your arrows and myself ready for departure." He went straight to work then, abandoning Sebastian's broadsword to make Eva's bows.

[Trinn]

Eva's mouth dropped open, trying to find something to say to Antien's statement about clinging. Her eyes were a little wide at the discovery that he was fully aware of her hopeless crush. In the back of her mind, she hear the tinkling laughter of Eos. Her cheeks felt suddenly on fire, and she knew they were as red as the hot iron on the anvil. Turning quickly, Eva fairly fled from the smithy.
~~

Two hours later, Eva entered Antien's blacksmith shop again. All of her things were packed and ready for the journey. The only thing that was missing, were her arrows. She had considered, very seriously, leaving Antien behind, and forgoing a bow and arrows all together. But her conscious wouldn't seem to let her. Standing in the heat again, her cheeks again resumed their rosy, embarrassed hue. Hopefully, Antien would think it was only from the sweltering heat of the smithy. Fighting down her humiliation, Eva stood where she was and called for him. "Antien? I'm ready." Her voice sounded weak, even to her. How was she going to get through this?

[Max452]

OOC: Lol. Poor Eva!

Antien wore a very amused grin as Eva fled his forge. He really hoped he hadn't embarrassed her too badly. The elf really couldn't help but make that remark. He groaned at himself as he went to a pile of wood that he stockpiled to make arrows. He really shouldn't have let his emotions get the better of him. His shameless flirting would ensnare him to fall in love with the girl. Ever since he began living in Bromsland, Antien found himself being more human-like than elf. He idly wondered if this was how Queen Arya felt when she was an Ambassador to the Varden. He felt envious of the humans. To live short lives where they lived in the moment rather than long lives where every word and thought was a strategic whim to get something. With Eva, Antien found, he was more liable to act like a lovestruck human fool than the experienced, collected elf. Antien began to carve the wood into appropriate arrow shape with his carving tool. Funny, how he felt more himself with Eva too. He frowned. This was not good. Eva deserved a better life; he feared that he would contain her free-going nature if she became his mate. She had fire and he was not the one who was going to douse it. But she had pretty eyes...Antien shook his head roughly. "Which is worse? To be the lovestruck fool or to watch her fall for another man?" He muttered, surprising himself. This question would nag him for the next hour and a half as he carved, sang, crafted, and molded the arrowheads and shafts to life.

When the hour and half was completed, Antien had completed the making of his arrows. He created 24 for Eva, all glyphed with the ancient language for True. He had placed a special spell on all 24 arrows, that they would fly straight and true for Eva and would be unbreakable unless confounded by a powerful spell. He hoped she would be pleased. He even crafted its own slim quiver; lightweight, slim and sturdy as he secured it with spells that ensured wear and tear would not find it.

In the last half hour, Antien closed up his fires and placed his tools away, informed Roland that he was accompanying Eva on her mission, pack, and wash up before meeting Eva. He had just returned to the forge, as the heat was now dying down, for a final sweep when he heard her nervous, but sweet voice echo the harsh confines of the smithy. He closed his eyes, trying to reign in his emotions; he still hadn't answered his question. He opened his eyes after he had contained himself. Ready to go, Antien met Eva at the entrance. He gave her a smile. "Good, I was getting restless with the idea of clinging to you." Antien mentally smacked himself at his inpromptu comment. He really needed to think before he spoke, but Eva was murky up his logical side every time he saw her. "Here are your arrows. You said at least 12, so I felt 24 would be safer. I placed a unique spell on them so that you will never miss the target you aim for." He told her, presenting the items to her, while hiding his blush from her sight.

[Trinn]

OOC: Yeah, she's going to be quite uncomfortable lol. And poor Antien too, though. I like his internal battle.

Eva's brittle control of her embarrassment shattered at Antien's first comment. What was she to say to that!? Fortunately, she had the distraction of the arrows and the quiver that the elf presented to her. Eva focused on these, deciding to just completely ignore Antien's teasing, for she assumed hopefully that that was all it was, rather than sarcasm. "These are magnificent, Antien!" Eva exclaimed, gratefully accepting the items he handed to her. She was shocked, and a bit humbled, to see that he had also crafted a quiver for her. Antien had even spelled the arrows, to a degree that made Eva wonder if his comments were neither teasing nor sarcasm. It was a thrilling thought, but one she banished quickly from her mind. Eos would only laugh at it, and tell her to be more serious.

"Thank you, truly, Antien. I don't deserve such gifts, but I am grateful to have friends who care enough about me to provide them." A humorous smirk touched the corners of her lips. "Of course, in return, you get to come along with me now and begin your clinging." Her smile widened as she began to feel less embarrassed, and more daring. "Come now, Antien, our journey awaits us." And with that, Eva turned on her heels and headed out the door. As she walked out, she fastened the quiver to her back and uttered a short, simple spell to keep the arrows inside the quiver unless they were pulled out by her. She wouldn't want them falling out in case Eos were to make a sharp, unexpected roll or dive.

The pale yellow dragon awaited outside, half crouched, seemingly sunbathing. "Ready, then, my friend?" Eva asked her, unnecessarily, of course. Eos gave a light growl of approval crouched lower, so that Antien would be able to mount with ease.

Eva took her place in the saddle first. She had went and requested a double seated saddle for the trip from the tanner. He had been happy to oblige her, although he looked a little curious too. Eva had not given him the details, thinking that would only confuse the poor tanner more. Why, after all, would a skilled, handsome, talented, legendary elf want to go on a long journey with a young and relatively new rider? Eva didn't even have the answer for that, even though Antien had claimed it was to protect her. Once she was settled, she patted the second seat of the saddle, which was behind her. "Up you go then, Antien."

[Max452]

OOC: Lol. Poor poor souls. I love torturing both of them! ahahaha! *ahem* hehe

Antien observed Eva as she clasped the arrows and quiver, examining them. He smiled, pleased that she accepted and loved his work. Her emerald eyes seemed to have sparkled at the sight of them, which made Antien's heart warm. He again mentally slapped himself. Was their whole quest going to be like this? His heart yearning for one thing while his mind logically desiring another? How could a being be torn as such? Now Antien understood what being a lovestruck fool was all about. He inwardly groan. No, no, He told himself, I am not taking the lovestruck human fool path! I will not! I cannot. He stubbornly told himself as Eva began to speak again. A sincere, honest smile appeared on his face, lighting up his features. "I will always care for you Eva, and as such, you will only ever receive the best from me; even if it be clinging." He added the last bit as teasing retort to her own, but found himself staring into her jade-colored eyes, feeling very inclined to get lost in their depth and fire. He suddenely blinked out of his brief stupor. Not a lovestruck human fool! He reprimanded himself as he distracted his own staring by turning to look over Eos. He noted the two man saddle and was quite surprised at how disappointed he was that he would not be closer to the Rider. This emotion greatly disturbed him. Had he fallen in love with Eva without being fully aware of it?

Antien let out a forced smile, still unsettled by his thoughts of Eva. "Yes, we should get going. It is a long flight until we reach the mainland. Have you any idea where you wish to begin our search?" He asked her as he gathered his things and prepared himself to mount Eos. He deftly tied his long, raven hair back with a string, letting it fall along his back so that it would not scattered itself as they rode. His eyes followed Eva as she mounted, perhaps more closely than he should have, before darting them away to inspect his pack again. He silently cleared his throat and gazed up politely as Eva directed to his seat. "Thank you Eos for allowing me to ride you." Antien inclined his head respectfully to the yellow dragon before lithly climbing up and placing himself on his designated saddle behind Eva. He settled himself in before informing Eva that he was ready. He was about to make another remark about clinging to her, but his mind, thankfully, caught himself.

[Trinn]

OOC: Methinks I'm going to do a little skipping ahead, just to speed things up and not let the thread get boring and what not.

When her two-leggeds were ready, Eos stood and stretched her wings. She shook her shoulders, yawned, and then broke into a run. She took a galloping leap into the air, catching the wind and soaring upwards with speed. In her mind, she felt Eva bending with the wind, and maneuvering her body to fit the saddle and the way Eos moved. As for the elf, Eos didn't know, and frankly, didn't care. There was something about Antien that made Eos feel watchful. He was too flighty with his words, and the way he looked at Eva... Eos left her thoughts there, not wanting Eva to catch on to them. She flew over the city of New Doru Arabea, taking the air currents west, where they would find the river that bled into Agaesia. And there, hopefully, they would find young Glory.
***

A few days later, Eos flew into Alagaesia. To the northwest, the mountains of the Beors rose up majestically, dominating the sky. Eva knew that the mountains were hundreds of miles away, but the rocky formations were legendary for their behemoth size. Eva knew, also, that the dwarves dwelt within the caverns and passages of the Beors. One day, she thought, it would be nice to visit their cities and immerse herself in their culture. Of course, she would never become a clan member. Only Eragon had that right.

The trip out of Bromsland had been relatively peaceful. There were new hints of a shade army or any other danger. Once, they had spotted a thunder of wild dragons off in the distance. It had been a breathtaking sight. All the colors of the rainbow were within the thunder, as it was called when a large group of dragons flew together. There were the colors of the rainbow, and then more. Colors Eva wasn't sure she had a name for, even. There was that, but then there had also been the noise reverberating from the wings of the large creatures. Like a thunderstorm in the heat of summer. Eva felt blessed and privileged to have seen something many could not even dream of. The wild ones did not come to bother them, and Eva had been grateful. Dragons were intelligent creatures, but the wild ones were a little more unpredictable than the bonded dragons.

And so they had flown on. Eva was always constantly aware of Antien behind her. She talked to him sometimes while they flew, but mostly reserved the talking for when they made camp at night. She told him a few stories about her home and her mother, and asked him a few careful questions about his life as well. She never grew tired of Antien, which made her happy. He was alluring in more ways than one.

Now they were in Alagaesia, and Eva felt herself grow more and more serious. They would face trials now, and hardships. Alagesia's peace had been broken, and Eva would perhaps be going into the heart of the evil to retrieve Glory. Night fell almost too quickly, and Eos began her descent. They made camp in a mossy grotto near the riverbank. Eva unfolded her bedroll and started a fire. She stood now with her arms crossed over her chest, staring into the flickering flames. "We should reach the desert tomorrow." She said, plotting her plan of action. "I want to search the desert first. Glory went missing on the other side of the sands, so we will go straight through the desert, and perhaps, hopefully, we will find her."

[Max452]

OOC: You know, I was going to ask that. lol

Antien was mostly quiet throughout the days as they journeyed to Alagaesia. It was not the company that displeased him, quite the contrary. As Antien talked and shared his life with Eva and Eos, and she with him, the elf's will was beginning to bend toward his heart's desires. He was beginning to realize more and more that he had fallen for Eva. She was such an innocent young lady, who was beginning to grow into womanhood fully; she still had many experiences to live through and much to discover about herself and the world. Antien, again, worried that if he began to woo her that he would stifle what wyrda had in store for her. The constant struggle within him was beginning to toll on the elf and despite his old age (in human standards), Antien was at a loss of what to do. For once, he needed counsel. As such were the thoughts and feelings of the young elf as he traveled with Eva and Eos. His thoughts preoccupied most of his time, and if it were not for Eva and Eos's exclamation to the sights and wonders of the wild dragons, or the various encounters they had with other creatures and cities, Antien would have never known they had occurred. This matter troubled him greatly, and on the night before they would reach the desert, Antien finally decided on whom he needed to counsel with.

Antien, like all the other nights, set up camp with Eva and placed his bedding opposite of Eva, as they both liked to share stories with one another before they retired for bed. He watched her, as she stared into the fire, admiring how she seemed to take charge of the mission; she was growing into a fine Rider and warrior. Antien nodded, agreeing with her words. "Aye, I think that would be best. We must be careful now, as we are nearing the territory of the abomination." Antien referred to the Shade Rider. He could feel the unsettling evil that had spread throughout the land; it felt very similar to how Galbatorix plagued the land, but it was also entirely different...more sinister. He glanced over to Eos, wanting to talk with her privately, but not knowing how whilst Eva was awoke or aware of her dragon's mind. Antien glanced back at the fire, feeling quite like it at the moment; fleeting and impatient as his emotions raged within him, yearning to act on impulses that could burn another if he was not careful.

[Trinn]

A different mood was now settled over the three travelers. Somber, careful, almost tense. They were in a territory that could be full of enemies at any moment. For Eva, that was the reason she decided on. She was unaware of Antien's internal struggle. Feeling suddenly tired, Eva stifled a yawn and turned towards her bedroll. "Antien, would you mind taking first watch this night? I feel I need a bit of rest before we truly begin our quest tomorrow." She assumed that Antien wouldn't mind, anyways. He was an elf, and elfs hardly ever slept. They dozed. A vague thought flitted through her head. It might be nice to have Antien sleeping next to her. He would be closer to her... more at the ready to protect her, since that was, apparently, his motive for coming along on this journey.

Just go to bed. Eos instructed. The yellow dragon was already laying down alongside the fire, curling almost completely around it. She was almost a year old, now, and still growing every day. Heeding her bonds advice, Eva chased away daydreams of Antien and awaited his response.