Twilight and Shadow

[Trinn]

Eva felt her mood grow heavier as Antien explained himself. She sat in silence for a moment, before telling him her thoughts on the matter. "I would never forgive myself if you stayed here just because of me." She plucked a blade of grass and twirled it in her fingers. "I think you should go to your father." Eva felt a sense of regret in saying it. Antien would leave and be in danger, and she would be here, doing nothing. Unless...

"Wait!" She said, dropping the blade of grass, "I'll come with you! We can both help your father protect the city! My skills have improved greatly, and Eos and I are ready for battle!"

[Max452]

"Eva." Antien drawled out the name in exasperation. Her idea was not what he had anticipated, despite how endearing it may be. Antien sat up, facing her. "I know you and Eos have grown much, but I cannot willingly place you in harms way. It nearly killed me when those two Shades attacked you on our last mission together. I cannot bare it if something worse should happen to you." He sighed. All these emotions were giving him a headache; no wonder his kin desired to refrain from showing it, but alas, Antien had rather suffer the headache than hide himself from Eva; a love struck fool indeed. "There must be another solution." He stated quietly.

[Trinn]

There is! Eos said, just as she landed directly next to them. She swatted a heavy paw at the pair, breaking them apart. Eva rolled from the force, though she wasn't really hurt. "Eos!" She exclaimed, getting quickly to her feet, embarrassed and incensed. "What are you doing!?"

Eos ignored her rider, and instead turned her head towards Antien, baring her teeth. You said you would do nothing! she snapped at him, her words hidden to Eva. But behind my back you treat my rider in such ways! Rolling around with her in the grass! Eos pushed her face into Antien's, fangs inches from his skin. Her tail twitched dangerously, her agitation quite visibly showing. Eva tried to intervene, pushing at her yellow leg, but Eos paid it no mind. She would have some choice words for Eva after she dealt with Antien. I thought elves had more honor than that!

[Max452]

OOC: Uh oh.

Antien rolled away as Eos' paw interrupted them. His body found himself on his back, staring up at an angry, yellow dragon. Eos! Antien's eyes went wide at the dragon's words. Yes...he did have more honor than that...but... Eos! I have not done anything uncouth toward her! Antien replied in a rush of anger and defiance as he shielded their conversation from Eva. I love her, Eos! I am certain of it now! You told me to wait and be sure! I am sure! This is no infatuation, Eos! I love her, and I am sorry that I did not retrieve your consent, but, I am tired of denying her. I know I have dishonored our agreement, so do with me as you will, as it is your right; I will not hide from this. Skulblaka, I am not sorry for showing her my feelings. I only regret not seeking your approval. Antien's voice grew apologetic as he spoke, but he would not dare take his eyes away from Eos' own. He would take responsibility for his actions.

[Trinn]

Eos's anger lasted only as long as Antien's explanation. She was a rational dragon, and anger did not suit her well. She gave him one last snarl before she drew her face away from his. You have proven yourself worthy. she said, turning her back on him and walking off a ways, her tail sliding on the ground and tearing up the grass. But if it seems to me ever that you do not hold Eva's best interest in heart, then I will finish what I almost started today.

"Will somebody please tell me what's going on!" Eva shouted out, exasperated. One minute, it looked like Eos was going to kill Antien, and the next, the dragon was walking away as peaceful as she pleased.

Antien and I had a small argument, that is all.

"A small argument?" Eva repeated out loud. "That did not look like a small argument!"

Come fly with me, and I will tell you more. Eos said, and looked back expectantly at Eva. She stood there, torn.

"Antien, I need to be with Eos now. Can we please talk later tonight?"

[Max452]

Antien let out a relieved breath as Eos backed off. He bowed his head in humility toward the great dragon. I would ask you to finish it should I ever do so, Eos. You know this. Antien quietly replied. Thank you for your approval; I will not squander it again. Antien rose from his position as he watched the aggravated dragon stalk off.

Upon hearing Eva's voice, Antien's attention returned to her. He opened his mouth to explain, but it seemed Eos had replied. He closed his mouth and glanced at the dragon. No doubt that she will tell and show Eva everything. When Eva addressed him again, Antien nodded. "Aye. We have much to speak about." Antien agreed. "I will be in the forge when you have returned." He told her before departing.

[Trinn]

Eva nodded and watched Antien walk off. She felt guilty for not being able to stay with him longer and discuss his father, but she had a duty to Eos before anything else, and she would uphold it. Running towards her bond, she jumped and climbed into the saddle. Eos unfolded her wings and bounded into the sky. Once they were well among the clouds, Eos imparted what had taken place between Antien and her.
~~~

The streets of New Doru Arabea were dark, lit only by the occasional sconce or werelight. Eva made her way absentmindedly to the forge. She had been dumbfounded by the information that Eos had given her. Antien had liked her, loved her, for a long time, while she had been running after him like a moon struck calf. She was embarrassed of herself, and humbled.

The forge loomed before her now, emitting a warm red glow from the smelting fires within. She didn't bother knocking this time, but let herself in. She found Antien and gave him a meek smile. Self consciously she stepped up to him and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. "Have you made up your mind, about what you will do?" She asked first to broach the silence.

[Max452]

With Eva and Eos' departure, Antien was once again left to his thoughts. Redirecting himself to the forge, the young elf thought it best to think whilst he worked and so, began to craft various swords for the next few hours.

When night fell, Antien had finally came to a decision, for as he crafted, his mind wandered toward thoughts of duty and obligation. He had a duty toward Eragon and Blodgharm, and especially toward the riders. However, the riders had flourished since sixteen years ago, and many new teachers and protectors had arrived since. He was not needed as he once was. True, he was the blacksmith of the new land, but it was also true, that he was not the only one. His duty, now, was toward his people. A new threat had risen, and Antien's skills were more toward the art of war than that of crafting its tools. He himself, was the tool of death, and so, he must preform this duty, or else, all that he had helped built these passed years, would all be for naught. And so, Antien had finally come to a decision, which, had calmed his mind.
~~~
As Antien continued to work in the sweltering forge (he had once again, forgone his tunic), he heard the soft familiar steps of Eva. He glanced up as she entered, placing aside his work to greet her properly. He stepped away and toward the counter that separated his workshop from that of the main lobby of the forge. Antien could not help the blush that formed on his face as she kissed his cheek. Well...it seemed her talk with Eos went well.

"Aye. I have." Antien replied, as he towered over Eva. "My duty is to defend my homeland at this time; if I allow more lands to be accosted, then Bromsland and the Riders here will be in jeopardy. I have to fight now, so that we will not have to fight later." He told Eva. He opened his mouth again, but hesitated before speaking. "Eva...I know you desire to go with me, and I as well, but I cannot consciously have you placed in harm's way again." He whispered to her. "I..." His voice trailed off. He really wanted her to come with him, but would he regret it later?

[Trinn]

Eva smiled slightly, for she had subconsciously known what Antien's choice would be. She shook her head as he tried to justify himself. It was not needed. She had made her own decision during her flight with Eos.

"It's ok." She said, sad but confident in both their decisions. "I know if we were to be together fighting for your father, it would be too much of a distraction. Battles are hard enough without having to worry about the people you love fighting next to you." It was something Eos had said to her earlier, and it had stuck with Eva since then. "Here." She said, and handed Antien a pale yellow ribbon, one that somewhat matched Eos's scales. "Take this with you, a memento of me." Eva was something of a romantic, and in many old epics, knights carried the ribbons and necklaces of their ladies into battle with them, to give them strength. It was an old and forgotten tradition, but then, Antien was really quite old. Perhaps he would appreciate the gesture.

[Max452]

OOC: Hehehe...do you mind if I fast forward later? I think it almost time to cause them pain.....

Antien gave a reluctant, but understanding nod to Eva's reasoning. "Aye. You speak true to my feelings." He replied, in regards of his worry should Eva fight alongside him. When she produced the ribbon, Antien could not help but smile at the gesture. "I will treasure it always, Eva." He reverently took the ribbon and quickly tied it to his left wrist. "I will never take it off." He assured her as his face drew closer to her. "I will not leave until tomorrow; what do you suggest we do until then?" He asked her, voice husky as he leaned down for a kiss.

[Trinn]

OOC: Go right ahead! I'm interested to see what you have in mind! lol

The ribbon looked nice on Antien's wrist. Eva liked it, liked that it resembled her. She hoped the undeniably beautiful elven maidens would recognize it for what it was and not try anything... Her heart skipped a beat as his voice shifted in tone, grew sultry. In answer, she closed the small space between them and set her lips firmly on his, eager to spend their last few moments together as closely as she could. It was unthinkable, but if something happened to him during battle... She wanted a good memory to leave with.

[Max452]

OOC: Hehe.

Antien relished the contact with Eva, delighted that they were finally together. He parted from her lips, briefly, to speak once more. "Be my mate, Eva, and I shall be yours forever and beyond." He whispered to her before his hungry lips trailed her jawline and returned to tenderly assault her lips. He did not care on what activity they chose to do that night, for as long as they were together, his heart would be overjoyed.

***
The explosions erupted all around Antien as he raced across the city's courtyards, slashing the enemy as he went. A snarl marred his features as he skidded over rumble and ruins of buildings. A flash of fire flew toward him and he deftly twirled to his left to avoid it. Illia Feon was in ruins now; the forest around them burned, clearly overrun by the Shade Rider's minions. Antien continued to run, striving to find his destination in as little of time as possible.

Finally, Antien saw a group of archers, speedily taking down the enemies that followed him. Antien continued to run, desperate to reach the command post. "Hurry, Antien!" A fellow elf called out to him as they continued their defense. Antien's reply was merely to run faster as he skidded over a large pillar that had fallen on the first day he had arrived to Illia Feon.

It had been over a week since he had arrived, since he had last found comfort in Eva's embrace, but all those memories pressed him forward as he sought to find his Father. He had just scouted a region and discovered the atrocity that the enemy had come to do. Finally, Antien spotted the command tent and he skidded to a halt as he hurried inside.

Two figures were hovered over a map of Illia Feon, discussing where to place reinforcements.
One of the spotted Antien's arrival and turned his attention toward him.
"Well?" Antien's father asked.
"Shades. They're turning the weak into Shades." Antien's morbid tone echoed in the tent.
"What abomination is this?" The other elf now spoke.
"I saw it with my own eyes. They were forcing spirits into the already wounded. They're trying to fortify her army." Antien's face was pale as he spoke, forced to never forget the screams of the wounded elf as the Spirits drew around him to overtake him.
"This cannot stand! I will not allow our kin to become monsters!" Antien's father stated with anger.
"This explains how the enemy seems to have endless Shades." The other elf, Quintus, sighed out in frustration.
"We must retreat. With this many Shades under their command we have no ability to retake this city. We must alert Queen Arya and the rest of the alliance." Antien stated.
"My son speaks true, though I wish it was not so; many lives were lost here..."
"It is for the best Raynor." Quintus placed a comforting hand on the elder elf's shoulder, before turning to Antien. "Call for the retreat."
"Yes, sir." Antien motioned to leave when an alarming shout was heard.

"The line has been breached!" An elf's voice echoed throughout the campsite. "The east defense has been broken!"

Antien turned to the two elves, eyes determined and awaiting orders. "Go, Antien!" Raynor, his father commanded. A swift nod escaped the young elf as he raced out, Raynor and Quintus following behind him.
~~~

"Push them back, push them back!" Raynor's voice growled out to his men as they fought against the multiple magicians and Shades that had breached their command center. After the east side was broken, the enemy had advanced quickly to the center of the encampment. Only a few elves were now holding the line, Antien included. Sweat poured down his face, and his right side had received a grievous wound, but Antien continued to fight, whether by sword or magic. After moments of more fighting, the enemy seemed to have stopped there attack, knowing they had surrounded the group.

Antien, his father, and few other elves remained at the ready as the enemy's line parted for a moment, revealing a cloaked figure.
"My, my, what a fun day we are having!" Tyrant ranted as he approached the remaining elves.
"Silence, Tyrant." A new voice echoed behind the Shade. Antien's eyes went wide when he recognized a fellow elf appear beside the abomination.
"Now, now, Adonis. Don't be so morbid all the time." Tyrant chided as his red eyes darted over the elves that had caused them so much trouble. "I promise I wouldn't kill anyone didn't I? It was a fun challenge."
Adonis ignored Tyrant, eyes focused on Quintus, the commander of the band that held so much resistance. "Surrender now and we will not kill you."
"And turn us into that monstrosity!" Raynor spat out, pointing his sword at Tyrant. "I rather die!"
Antien's grip on his sword tightened. It seemed he would have to break his promise to Eva. I'll come back. I promise. He remembered telling her. With the situation as it was, Antien doubted it.
"Ah, come on, its not that bad!" Tyrant cackled. "Think of all the power you'll have. Katriana is willing to reshape this world for the better." Tyrant lied.
"Lies." Antien sneered out.
"It seems you have chosen servitude then." Adonis replied. "I had rather hoped that my kin would understand - I was wrong." Adonis glanced over at Tyrant before turning away and departing from the area. "Weaken them enough that they won't be able to fight back." Adonis commanded.
An evil smile appeared on Tyrant's lips. "With pleasure." His hands cackled with lightening before unleashing them on the already weakened elves.
~~~
A groan escaped Antien as he laid, bound and broken, on the cold, ruined floor. They had seeped them all of their energy and now, were being bound and shipped off to somewhere else. Antien wondered why he and the rest of the captured elves weren't being turned to abominations right now. Perhaps more energy was required? Who knew? He was merely grateful that he and his Father were not being turned now. Shifting, Antien managed to finally free a small ribbon from his tied hands.

"Find her....and show her all that has occurred." Antien whispered in the ancient language to the yellow ribbon. "I'm sorry, Eva." Antien told the ribbon, using what little energy he had left to plant a spell that imprinted his memory and current words onto the object. "I will love you always." He imprinted before managing another spell. A cool, gently breeze blew by and Antien let the ribbon go, knowing that his spell would have it reach his mate. After the use of that spell, Antien collapsed onto the ground, his energy depleted as he awaited his fate.

[Trinn]

OOC: NOOOOO Don't make him a shade! lol

Eva was woken by something soft brushing against her face. Blinking in the darkness, she sat up and grasped at the object that fell from her cheek. It was silky, but it felt damaged and crusty. Alarmed, Eva muttered a quick phrase in the ancient language and a dim yellow werelight popped into existence. With a sense of dread, Eva looked down at the slim object in her hand.

A pale yellow ribbon, speckled with dry blood. It was as if all she needed was to look at it, for at that second something took hold of her mind and filled her head with images. She saw shades upon shades attacking an elven city, watched as elves fell easily to the dark foe. Horror gripped her when she watched an elf turned by force into a shade, and then turn on his elven allies. She gathered that she watched through the eyes of Antien, for she could sometimes hear his voice. That last image was ground view, and Eva knew it did not bode well. The last thing were heart broken words.

When Eva was able to come back to herself, she was sitting on the floor, grasping the ribbon so hard that she had cut into her own palm with her nails. Everything that had just passed through her mind now flashed in images again. Her heart beat rapidly, and panic welled in her breast. Barely knowing what she was doing, Eva strapped on Aiedail and burst through her dwelling's door and out onto the streets of New Doru Arabea. Eos was waiting just outside. She had seen everything too. "We have to save him!" She said, nearly panting from her rush. Eos didn't argue, but merely waited for Eva to climb onto her back.

Once Eva was on, Eos stood still. Where are we going? We don't even know where he is?

The elven city that he was fighting in! Eva said hurriedly.

Eva... Eos said, beginning to argue. But Eva wouldn't hear it. Eos took off into the sky, worried for Eva more than Antien, and hoping that someone else could help.

[Max452]

OOC: Mwuahaha!

Antien's feet staggered against the hot sand as he and the rest of the captured elves were being led into the Hadarac Desert. It had been two days since their capture, and still, fate seemed to prolong their transformations to those abominations. However, despite their delay, they still were unable to use magic; the enemy had drugged them and kept them weak so they could not replenish their energy. And so, battered and bloody, with his hair untied and greasy over his face, Antien desperately tried to figure out a way to escape.

***
They spotted a yellow blur dart up into the sky, recognizing it instantly. Aradan let out an exasperated sigh. She's at it again! The half elf whined. It was because of Eva and Eos that most of the Riders in Bromsland were unable to freely roam about or even gain proper missions because the Elders were worried that the Riders were too immature! Having enough of Eva's independence, Aradan hopped onto Veryan and the two bounded in the sky, zipping right in front of Eos to halt her in her flight.
"And where do you think you two are going?" Aradan asked, arms crossed. "I think our Masters would agree with me - no one else is to leave without proper approval and permission." He declared, remembering what happened to Teza Mae when she had ran off without letting anyone know. He cringed at the thought; he would not allow anyone else to suffer the same fate as she.

[Tismri]

Weiss knelt to the ground, where red blood marred the natural beauty of the green grass. The city seemed to be smoldering, though most of the civilians had made it out while the troops fended them off. But of the defense--which had been strong--there seemed to be no remnent. No bodies...nothing but these few drops of blood.
The message that had been delivered to Queen Arya had been confused and indeciferable. It mentioned that Shades were attacking the city, but no casualties were mentioned. Weiss, along with several others, had been sent to investigate.
"They seem to have been taken prisoner," one of her companions said. Weiss threw him a curious glance.
"But why? This seems an inordinate number of prisoners to take, even if the force was large enough."
"It is the only explanation I can find, though. And if they a prisoner, they've likely been taken back to their mistress."
"Katriana," Weiss completed. She stayed silent for several moments. The thought of going into that den of evil terrified her. So much darkness gathered in one place was a blight upon the land. But then, she thought of Ruby. Her little sister had fearlessly hunted down such evil, the thing that had murdered their dear mother, and she slew it. Weiss did not wish to be outdone by her.
"Kirli," she called, "Take what we have found back to the queen. The rest of us should go to the desert and attempt to free out captured comrades."
"Such a trip will take some time to prepare," Lifaen mentioned to her.
"Take as much time as we need, but no more than that. The lives of our people lay in the balance."