Yawë

[Max452]

Sebastian shielded his eyes as he heard the shrilling scream of the dying tan dragon. He had been scorched to the bone; his Rider already gone, and was falling quickly to the ground. The horrid sound that escaped the enemy made Sebastian pity the beast; they stood no chance against that fierce dragon, and despite Maude's assurance that the beast was on their side, he still felt terrified. "Are you sure its friendly?" Sebastian asked, willing his eyes to open as Magda began making noises. "Magda sounds terrified!" He added, not understanding Magda's cries. "I still think we should run for it!" He cried out, clearly more intune with his flight reflexes than his fight.

OOC: lol I love making Sebastian cowardly. lol. Can you tell which character I prefer Maude to be with? haha

[Trinn]

Throwing back her head, Viel gave a mighty, victorious roar as her enemy fell, dead, back to earth. Maude fought the urge to put her hands over her ears to shut out the volume of the roar, but part of her thrilled to be so close to it. So this was what Viel had been like in battle, back when her mother was renown as the red rider, when they both had been the mightiest of warriors. It was no wonder that Viel had earned herself a certain amount of fear among those that spoke her name.

She ignored Sebastian's cowardly calls to flee. Instead she reached out with her mind, carefully touching the mental presence of her dragon-mother. At first, Viel rebelled against Maude's touch, but as the bloodlust dimmed, she let the young woman in. Viel! And they conversed, even as they landed wearily on the ground. Maude discovered that Viel had wandered back into Alagaesia to retrieve one of her young who had ventured too far and was now disturbing the farming citizens of a country village. She also learned that, once the young one had been retrieved, Viel would be returning to Vana. Viel had pushed Typhon away, to go to Kyler, for Viel had thought it her duty to retrieve their stray baby herself.

Maude dismounted now and ran to Viel, hugging the mighty dragon. Viel let her linger for a moment, before turning her attention to Magda. Magda was visibly quivering as she looked at Viel, and Viel at her. The mother dragon approached her hatchling carefully, sniffing Magda all over. The young dragon allowed it, though growls escaped her throat a few times. Near the end of the inspection came a tense moment, when Magda stiffened and lifted her tail, as if to challenge Viel. Viel had braced herself and stood over Magda, baring her teeth in a frightful way and snapping her jaws. Minutes passed, and eventually Magda let down her tail and took a more submissive position. Viel stopped her snarling, and bumped Magda gently with her snout. It seemed mother and daughter had reunited peacefully, which brought Maude a great amount of relief.

"Viel, allow me to introduce Sebastian. He's my companion for this journey." Viel swung her head around now to inspect Sebastian. She lifted her lips, as if sneering at him. Maude decided not to tell Sebastian that Viel said he smelled like a cowardly baby.

"Sebastian, Magda and I have decided to accompany Viel on her journey to reach one of her young who has strayed into Alagaesia. It is right on our way to Dras Leona."

[Max452]

Sebastian was crestfallen when Maude announced that they would be going with Viel. He had been scared out of his wits by the fierce dragon, especially when up close and under its frightening gaze. "Um, are you sure? I mean..won't that detract us from our mission?' He asked weakly, trying to whisper to Maude, not knowing that Viel could hear him clearly. "I mean, I know you're close with it, but, you really think we have time to help her?" He asked, tyring to make excuses to not be around Viel, especially if he was trying to plan on getting close to Maude; he didn't want to try to impress something that could eat him whole if he gave it the wrong look.

[Trinn]

"Don't be ridiculous," Maude said to Sebastian. "Retrieving Viel's young one will take is en route to Dras Leona. Viel doesn't need our help, but it would do well for a rider to be present so that they do not assume Viel is wild as well. It will soothe their feelings to know we our sorry for the trouble the wild dragon has caused. Afterwards we can head straight into Dras Leona." Maude finished explaining and remounted Magda. She had hoped that Sebastian would have dismounted to stretch his legs, but that was his problem now.

[Max452]

OOC: I'm running out of ideas of how to make Sebastian more cowardly...maybe I should make him less so...maybe lol

Sebastian frowned at Maude's words, but by now, he knew that she wasn't one to take his advice seriously. "Fine." He grumbled, crossing his arms as he stared at the two red dragons and Maude. "Let's get this over with. I'm eager for some civilization." He declared with an air of nobility.

The young noble was none too happy with this new mission. Now, it seemed Viel would be joining them for a time, which meant, no flirting or trying to get Maude to like him. Well, of course, he would continue to try, after all, this was his future wife! He had to make her like him. Of course, he knew that not many people did. He didn't miss their rolling eyes or exasperated sighs. But Sebastian didn't care; they didn't really know him. That thought always made Sebastian feel two things: hurt and carelessness. No one knew him. All he really wanted was someone to acknowledge him...to actually care because of who he was, not what his title said he was. The young man had always gotten what he wanted, but never what he needed, and that, just made him appear indifferent to everyone, because in the end, Sebastian didn't really know any different.

[Trinn]

OOC: Perhaps so! lol. Perhaps as his character develops he'll gain some redemptive attributes. Also, why don't we skip forward a bit? hehe

The next day, they came upon Viel's lost offspring. The young dragon was larger than Magda, male, and an attractive shade of orange, similar to the sun at dusk. The dragon was on the ground when they spotted him, sunbathing in the winter sunlight atop a hill, as if it were his throne. Around the orange dragon were scattered bones, and Maude was relieved not to see any human remains. The wild dragons weren't really wild, per-cay, merely unbonded. They were still, for the most part, civilized. They would not want to start a war with humans. Instead, the remains consisted of cattle, sheep, and deer, and what looked like horses. All of the animals probably belonged to the group of farmers a mile off from the dragon's current resting spot. And indeed, the farmer's were all probably locked up in their homes, trembling.

Moving to action, Viel barked out a short, commanding roar. The orange dragon stirred and looked up, and Maude heard him bark back. A second latter he fluttered his wings and soared up into the sky. Magda hung back from Viel, observing the family she didn't know. Maude stroked her bonds ruby neck scales, feeling a sense of loneliness from her draconic partner's mind. The orange dragon sailed up, until he was at Viel's height. He fluttered around her, twitching his tail. Suddenly he bit at Viel, at her leg. Viel snarled loudly, and pushed at him, none too soft. For a moment they fought this way, and it seemed that the orange dragon did not wish to leave.

At last Viel roared out and charged her youngster, beating at him with her wings and nipping at his shoulders and neck. The youngling reared back, surprised. It lasted but a moment, and soon the orange dragon was flapping back towards Bromsland, and Maude thought if he had been a dog, he would have his tail safely tucked between his legs.

Viel lingered, hovering, and looked towards Magda. She crooned softly to her daughter dragon now, and Magda lunged forward to circle closely around her mother, nearly rubbing against her. Maude reached out and trailed a hand over Viel's snout in farewell. Safe travels back to Bromsland, dragon-mother. You and your youngling both.

And you as well, skin-daughter. Do not fall into any traps, and always fight like the leader of the hunt! And with that goodbye, Viel broke from her hover and flew off after her orange youngling. Magda and Maude watched them go, both feeling a little melancholy.

She said she was proud of me. Magda said, sounding wistful.

As well she should be. Maude said, You are like her in every way. Magda seemed considerably more cheerful at this news, and it was with a renewed energy that she flew off towards Dras Leona. They would reach the city in the morning.

[Max452]

Sebastian sat, awestruck at the scene before him. He had never seen dragons interact in such a way before. A part of him was terrifed, whilst another was exhilarated! Despite his failures, Sebastian truly desired to have a dragon of his own; to build his estate into their highest potential. He watched the interaction for a moment, before being jeered in his seat. Magda was racing around the much larger red dragon. Sebastian tucked himself, not wanting to expose himself to any biting. After a moment, he could sense the somberness that crafted itself over Maude and Magda. "You'll see them again, I'm sure." Sebastian commented, not liking Maude sad; it was not an emotion she should have to bear. After a moment, they continued onto their journey and Sebastian reflected most of the time, wondering what it was like to have a loving family; he had watched with some hidden sentiment the dragons' interactions with one another. Though they were merely dragons, they showed one another more love than his own father had shown him.

[Trinn]

Maude glanced back at Sebastian, surprised by his vocal gesture of sympathy. She had expected him to be aloof about the whole thing. "Thank you." she said, giving him the briefest of smiles. Now come on, Magda, we can get to Dras Leona before nightfall.
~~~

As Magda folded her wings and trotted to a halt, Maude began loosening the saddle straps around her legs. Dusk was quickly turning to night, and she wanted to be inside the city before the gates closed.

"Ok, let's hurry, Sebastian. The gates will be closing at any minute, now." Maude said, sliding off Magda's side. Not waiting for her companion, Maude hurried to the front of the city. The gatekeeper was just beginning to close the gates when Maude neared them. She whistled shrilly, startling him. "Let us in. We're riders, from Bromsland."

[Max452]

At the call of his name, Sebastian hurried down Magda, having become accustomed with it during their journey, though he dreaded the flight every time. Following Maude, Sebastian grabbed his gear and raced with her into the city in the nick of time. He was glad when Maude's Rider status caught the gatekeeper's attention. He apologized and hurried them in, not liking the curfew to be broken. "Welcome Argetlams!" He boomed as he ushered other late travelers in as well. Sebastian refrained from correcting the man, as they were gestured inward. "Try out the Dragon's Talon inn! It's one of the best in town!" The gatekeeper shouted as Sebastian was pushed onward.

The young noble was wide eyed at town. He had never come with his father to Dras-Leona, though they had some business here once and awhile; he never bothered with those stuff. Sebastian glanced around, trying to figure out which of the many twisting, narrow roads would lead them to the Dragon's Talon; he was looking forward to a real bed. "It would have helped if he told us which way to go." Sebastian replied as he stared at the ramshackle of a town. Even though it had been 16 years since the Priest of Helgrind were cast out, the place still held a sinister feel...or that was what Sebastian felt. He glanced over to Maude, waiting for her to lead; he noticed that she seemed to enjoy that a lot. Quite independant for her own good.

[Trinn]

"No matter." Maude said, in regards to their lack of directions. "We wouldn't want to stay at some fancy place, anyways. It would be better to find someplace inconspicuous. That way we will pass undetected." Setting off down a random side street, Maude glanced around at the tall buildings. Torches burned in sconces every few blocks, illuminating streets that couldn't quite hide their past. The cobbled stones were nearly black, and sometimes a ragged looking person stumbled into the street, only to flee back into an ally. Maude found herself wishing for Magda's presence here in these dim streets.

At last she spotted a softly swinging tavern sign, upon which was painted a black, one eyed cat. "The black cat." Maude muttered aloud, standing before the murky establishment. She spared one glance at Sebastian, before pushing her way inside.

The common room was desolate, except for a rat that sat upon a grimy table, gnawing on unswept bread crumbs. A tall, lanky man with greasy strings for hair stood behind the bar, eyeing Maude and Ian speculatively. He leaned to the side, spit in a bucket, and turned back to them. "What can I do ya for?" He asked in a scratchy voice. No doubt scarred by the tobacco he smelled so strongly of. Tobacco and pipe smoking had never been something Maude approved of.

"We need a room. One with two beds will do." She demanded, approaching the bar and leaning her elbows on it. The bar was as high as her ribs, and she wondered if it might be to protect the inn keep from angry patrons. The inn keep in question gave a raspy grunt, and turned to get the room key. Maude glanced at Sebastian again, hoping he wasn't getting any ideas. She had thought it best to stay in one room, mainly so she could keep an eye on Sebastian. She didn't want him ruining this mission.

[Max452]

The Black Cat looked like a slump that vagabonds and riftrafts invested. Once Sebastian stepped inside, his opinion of the place had only dropped more. "You want us to stay here?" The noble asked with a harsh whisper of distaste to Maude. He eyed the rat on the table with a horrid look and the innkeeper just as equally. It appeared his question was answered when Maude had asked for a room. Immediately, the sound of sharing a room brought out a more, lewd side of Sebastian, but Maude's previous words caught him and he quelled those thoughts immediately. He would win Maude the right way and that was to be her friend first. "I feel we would have better used my status to investigate this place then force ourselves to be in this place." He whispered again to Maude once the innkeeper had turned around. "Less obvious that we're trying to stay low." He added with some weariness as he watched the fat rat scurry off the table toward the kitchen.