Tracks in the Snow

[Trinn]

"I can use it well enough." Tally said, though inwardly she felt somewhat nervous. She had been practicing her magic skills ever since Erath had hatched, but she was still not very good. And, whatsmore, she felt her energy levels were not high enough yet to wield a spell long enough, or complex enough. But lifting bodies should be no problem. She would just have to be careful. One day, she had promised herself, she would be as good as her sister Glory. And then, she would save her sister from that evil shade rider.

[Max452]

Ian nodded to both Tashnak and Tally. "Okay. Let us begin then; daylight is dwindling." He told them, knowing that the night brought out more dangers than he would like. Ian closed his eyes then, trying to devise a simple and efficient spell to manuever the bodies into the pit that Castiel and Losin were creating. After a moment of thought, he opened his eyes. "I will take the farther corner of the encampment. Tally can you please do the ones here, and Tashnak, can you take the area to the east." Ian asked, desiring to split up the tasks so they could be done faster. He also wanted Tally near the dragons should anyone decide to attack them. "Is that suitable for everyone or does anyone else have any ideas on how we can do this?" He asked.

As the Riders talked amongst themselves, Castiel was eager to learn of his two kin. Especially Losin! She was so big! Castiel was in awe in how quickly she was digging. He watched her silently as he dug and plowed the earth with his black talons; his white scales darkening as he sent dirt flying everywhere. Where did you hatch, Losin? Castiel asked the dragon, tilting his head curiously at her before glancing over to Erath. He wanted to learn about Erath too! After all, Tally was one of Ian's precious people and Castiel made it a point to know them as well. He would speak with him soon, right after he learned more about Losin.

[doitean]

I was hatched here in the Spine. Just a couple miles from here Losin said.

The black dragon was leisurely making the hole while Tashnak cast a spell to levitate the bodies into the hole. He moved the bodies one at a time. Tashnak was careful moving the bodies.

I was hatched two years ago. Losin also told Castiel and Erath, Anything else?.

Losin's voice wasn't as deep as Saphira's but was more musical. The black dragon was just as vain as Saphira though.

[hagvar]

Ever since the war with Galbatorix was over Dana didn't know what to do with her self but now since the shade rider was stirring up trouble she set off from her and Gidion's secret base on her horse ethgri andlát (invoke death) a tan mare with a black mane an tail.

After hearing of some tails of a band of freedom fighters in the spine she set off to find them hoping to help them to stop the raids and attacks of the villages. As she got closer she smelled smoke and burnt flesh as she came out of the forest she saw a town completely destroyed by dragonfire. Now she was glade to be wearing her swords and her midnight blue armour she saw three dragons two humans and an urgal she removed her swords and secured her mind "hail friends to the empire or to the resistance?" She called out to the people

[doitean]

Tashnak turned seeing the new arrival with swords drawn.

"We are riders who defend the people. We are enemies of the Shade rider. Who are you?" He yelled out.

The kull was curious about the female. He knew Losin was also keeping an eye out, watching the female closely. The black dragon was still digging the hole. She was the strongest there. She was also the largest.

[hagvar]

"I am Dana titled the midnight mage I fought along side the riders in the war against the empire and Galbatorix" she said as she dismounted, sheathed her swords and started leading her horse closer to the group. "May I ask your names" she said when she got within 5 feet of them.

[Trinn]

Tally nodded, accepting Ian's leadership in the matter. As she walked towards the area her cousin had directed her to, she thought of different spells to use that would be both most efficient and consume the least energy. Erath kept pace next to her, once in a while glancing back at the two larger dragons longingly. He felt slightly useless, being unable to help dig the graves. Don't worry, Erath. Someday soon you will be big enough to do whatever you wish! Tally said, trying to encourage him. He picked up his head a bit, taking heart.

When they reached the first group of bodies, Tally carefully spoke the spell she had contrived, and was satisfied when she felt only a slight pull at her energy. She was using the air as well as her own strength to lift the bodies with the magic. It seemed an efficient way. But there was much to do, and at some point, she was sure she would have need of Erath's energy to help her.

The work was going as smoothly as it could, when a stranger made herself known. At the sight of the drawn blades, Tally reached towards the hilt of a dagger at her belt. Erath's scales raised up, and he bared his glistening white fangs. They only relaxed when the stranger sheathed her weapons and took a more friendly turn. Tally was thankful for their urgal friend and his calm demeanor. Taking his lead, she readily introduced herself and Erath. "Well met warrior. I am Tally, and this is my bond, Erath. We are all True Dragon Riders, aligned with the great Eragon and our homeland, Alagaesia."

[Max452]

Ian tensed when his mind sensed a presence approaching them; having become tuned to recognizing it since his training in Bromsland. The white rider stopped from his work to glance off toward the outskirts of the site. He felt Castiel's pleasant mood shift toward one of hostility. Months of leading Arucane had taught them to be alert and aware of their surroundings. Ian quietly approached the gathering group, eyes trained on the newcomer and body ready to strike out if she proved to be a threat. His green eyes flickered over to Tashnak, grateful for his and Losin's presence; it never hurt to have more strength in numbers.

As Ian approached, his stoic demeanor eased as he overheard the conversation between Tashnak, Tally, and the newcomer, Dana. He moved to stand by Tally, a defensive gesture to protect his younger cousin. "Greetings, Dana. I am Ian, Rider of Castiel." Ian replied, noticing Castiel return to digging, but noticing his back legs were tense. Ian understood that position; the dragon was ready to attack should this mage prove ill intentions.

[hagvar]

"It's nice to meet you three I have come to the mountains to join a band of freedom fighters when I smelled the smoke I had hoped it an inn or town not a shell of one" she said. She noticed the tense felling about the group "I mean you no harm I will even permit you to search my mind if you do not trust me Castiel" she said out loud

"It looks like you'll need some help" she said with a grim look on her face. "I might be able to help" out of her pack she pulled out an old necklace with a small read gem surrounded in a thin layer of gold she extended her hand to tally "here this should help with the job I have a little energy stored in there it will serve you better than I" she said with a slight smile.

[doitean]

"It is a pleasure Dana. I am Tashnak and this is Losin. The tragedy here is sad. This is not a warriors death. Innocent people do not deserve this.", Tashnak told her.

We can use any help to honor the dead. Losin said in her musical voice.

The black dragon was still digging the hole while Tashnak was moving the bodies, one by one.

[Tismri]

Ruby had been travelling between towns when she smelled the smoke on the wind. Her keen senses picked out its location quickly, and a sense of duty sent her in its direction. Her fears were confirmed by the sight of numerous burnt bodies littering the ground, being prepared for burial. It was obvious to her by the scorching that this had been a dragon attack.
Thus, she was understandably on guard when she noticed not just one, but three dragons gathered around the site. She knew one was likely too small to breathe fire yet, but the other two could very well have wrought the destruction before her.
Immediately within the confines of her soul, she felt her anger rising. Whoever had done this to these innocent people was evil, a monster, and the sort of person she hated the most.
She kept her hooded cloak up about her as she softly entered the gathering.
"What is the meaning of this?" she asked softly. "Dozens lie dead by a dragon's breath, and I see three dragons and four people gathered around. I ask that you allay my suspiscions before I take steps to avenge the fallen." Beneath her cloak, her hand fell to her weapon, ready to pull it out and unleash its fury at a moment's notice.

[doitean]

Tashnak saw a hooded woman step into the clearing and order an explanation. She was gripping what he thought was a weapon.

"Stay your hand fair lady. I am Tashnak, Kull rider of the black dragon Losin. We are burying these poor souls. We do not know who killed these people.", he told her.

Losin had cocked an eye towards the newcomer and tensed. If the human woman drew her weapon and charged, she would jump to her riders defence. Few non-riders, and some younger dragons, could match her ferocity.

[hagvar]

OCC: this is going to be a good thread I can just tell and sorry for mistyped words still learning how to type on kindle fire I just bought

"The pleasure is all mine" Dana said to Tashnak. "I will help move the bodies she said to Losin it won't use to much of my energy I have something in mind for when were done."

Dana felt the presence of another person and heard her question. She knew this person meant her know harm so she answered "we are her to lay theses people to rest we all have questions but I think we should focus at the task at hand and discuss what happened and who did it later"she said to the newcomer oh and my name is Dana.

[Trinn]

Tally eyed the necklace that was offered to her. She hesitated, somewhat amazed by such a generous gift. "Thank you." She said eventually, accepting the stranger's gift. "It will surely help." Tally gave Dana a short bow, showing her respect for the woman. Erath bowed his head to, imitating his rider. It wouldn't due to appear rude after such generosity.

Tally and Erath returned to their work, carefully moving the bodies into their final resting place. Some time passed, and Tally was just tapping into the energy stored in the red gem when her concentration was disrupted by the arrival of yet another stranger. She released her spell and turned to observe the cloaked figure stepping in among them. The girl's voice sounded young, and judging by her height, was around Tally's age. Therefore it was somewhat surprising to hear the authority in her voice, and the clear threat. The girl must be confident in her skills to come among three dragon riders and a magician.

She remained silent as Tashnak and Dana addressed the newcomer, hoping that things would be resolved peacefully.

[Max452]

Ian was processing the fact that Dana had come to join what appeared to be, Arucane, by the way she had phrased her words.
You see, you do inspire people, Ian. That is not weak. Remember that. Castiel echoed their previous conversation as he continued to dig with Losin.
Ian pondered Castiel's words and was about to let Dana know that he had banded such a group, when the woman began distributing a necklace to Tally and other gems. It seemed she wanted to help bury the people here before talking. That suited Ian fine. The young rider went to return to his work when another presence gently weaved by. Alert once more, Ian noted the new individual, however, she displayed a more deadly aura than Dana had.

Ian paused in his work and quietly approached the gathering group, mostly toward Tally as he was quite protective of her. He allowed the others to talk to her, while he assessed and remained alert, green eyes noticing how one of her hands seemed to linger inside her cloak, making it quite possible that she had a weapon there. Until the tension eased, Ian had no inclination to introduce himself or Tally; Tashnak and Dana were doing fine in explaining the situation.