Strength and Honor

[Max452]

Evander sighed, feeling guilty for his harsh tone when Nethia turned from him. At the mention of her lack of skill with the bow, Evander gave her a contemplative look. "We shall have to rectify that; a bow will be useful to you, especially on dragonback." He surmised before turning back to the moment at hand. He thought about Nefrox's offer and felt a wave of humility. Dragons were not known to let anyone but their rider ride them. Evander felt unclean at the prospect of riding Nefrox when he belonged to Nethia. "No, please tell Nefrox that I do not have that right; it is yours. No, we shall do this instead, if Nefrox is willing." He glanced back to the men. "Nethia, you shall send these arrows against those that are seated on the outskirts; I would like to get them to scatter into the center of the camp. Once there, I will entrap them with magic so they would have no chance of escape. Nefrox will encircle the camp and eliminate any stragglers. We shall offer them a chance to surrender, if not, then we will have to, sadly, eliminate them as well, for we cannot risk them harming anyone else. Is this agreeable?" The Warden asked after he had proposed his plan.

[Trinn]

Nethia was rather surprised when the Warden turned down Nefrox's offer. He was lucky that Nefrox was not too proud of a dragon, for otherwise it could have been construed as offensive. Instead Nefrox seemed to grow more fond of him, making Nethia feel almost jealous. Shaking the feeling off, she focused on the plan the Warden was describing.

"I have no qualms, nor does Nefrox. We will do as you say." Secretly she worried that she would not be able to complete her part of the plan. She had only dabbled in archery, and she was anxious that her arrows would not fly well.

[Max452]

"Very good. I shall make my way down. Wait half an hour for me to get into position, and the begin." Evander managed a smile, but felt it was awkward for someone to actually see him to do. He motioned to leave, but before so, he placed a comforting hand on Nethia's own. "You will do well; just focus on your target and your intention - the words and spell will come and do the rest." He assured her, for he had sense some doubt and uncertainty from her. He gave her a final nod before parting from her and making his way toward the lower portion of the hill, where their enemy awaited. It took him about half an hour to make it down the hill, as he did not want to alert the enemy to his presence. The Warden stationed himself against the shadows of the trees, watching the men before glancing up to Nethia's hiding spot. He drew one of his sword carefully, not wanting to alert the men surrounding the campfire. He hoped Nefrox was ready as well, as he prepared a spell within his mind, ready to begin.

[Trinn]

Nethia watched the Warden make his way down the cliff. She felt oddly bereft without him there by her side. He had become such a constant presence in her life now. Swallowing hard in anxiety, she turned her eyes to the group of men and carefully marked out those who were stationed outside of the main force. Scouts. As she waited for the half hour to pass, Nethia carefully thought of different ways to word her spells so that the arrows would fly true.
~~

The half hour had passed and Nethia was feeling more confident. The Warden is ready. Nefrox told her. His dragon sight was far keener than hers, so it was no wonder he could tell exactly when her Warden was in position. Thanking Nefrox, Nethia pulled out several arrows and laid them on the ground next to her. She did not pick up the bow, but gathered the arrows flat in her hands and pointed them out towards the men below.

"Arrows, chase these men that stand below until they stand with their comrades." as she spoke, she pictured the men who had been standing on the outskirts. The arrows flew from her hand and whizzed like angry bees towards the men. Nethia watched in fascination as the first arrow reached its target. The man saw it coming and dove to the ground. The arrow flew past and doubled back, taking the man by surprise. He leaped and ran. The rest of the scouts were running now too. Nethia smirked and sat back to enjoy her work.
***

Nefrox reached the man before he could get far. Instead of running back towards his fellows, he had dashed off towards the hills. Nefrox bore down on the man now and easily caught the man with his talons. The fellow screamed as if he was already dead. Perhaps he would be soon. Ignoring the man, Nefrox flew back towards the main group. He swung low over them and dropped his captive back into the circle. He then landed outside of the circle, wings lifted proudly and neck arched. By now the Warden would have had his magic spell up and around the rest.

[Max452]

Despite the seriousness of their situation, Evander could not help a smile to creep into his lips as he watched Nethia's arrows chase the scouts round about the campsite; it was an amusing sight to see. Evander would make sure to tell Nethia that she did a good job in her magic. A large shadow glided over the camp and Evander knew that Nefrox was doing his duty. Sprinting out of his hiding spot, the Warden charged toward the herded men.

One of those that were still a bit off to the side (and being chased by an arrow) had caught sight of him. The scout charged, ignoring the arrow for a brief moment to attack the only visible foe. Evander side stepped the attack with ease, swiping his sword at the man's feet, effectively tripping him. The Warden had no desire to kill them, but he would should they not surrender. The scout yelped in pain as the arrow that had chased him embedded itself in his shoulder. Before the other scouts could register his presence (he was glad the they were all concentrated on Nefrox's presence), Evander quickly shot up his free hand. "Malthine (sp?)" A black glow escaped his hand and seemed to form into a rope as it sprouted forth to encase the men. They were quickly bound by the spell. "Don't move." Evander pointed his sword at the wounded captive, making sure that he was not going anywhere. He turned his hooded gaze toward the main party. "Surrender and we will let you live." The Warden's commanding voice filled the air.

[Trinn]

"Surrender?" A voice bellowed out smoothly. A dwarf stepped forward to stare defiantly at the Warden. "Surrender?" He repeated, in evident disbelief. Lifting a hand, he began to stroke his fiery red beard, which was neatly braided down to his belly button. "Now, lads, what do you think of that offal?" The men, kull, dwarf, and human alike, snickered defiantly. "Well, I suppose that's your answer, miscreant. We will not surrender to the likes of a rat like you!" His voice welled up into a bellowing war cry, and he charged towards the Warden.
~~~

Nethia leaped to her feet when she saw the dwarf charge forward, a giant battleaxe in hand. He never reached the Warden.

She watched as Nefrox leaped over the magical boundary and reaching out with his head, caught the little man up in his jaws. He bit down and snapped the dwarf into several pieces. He then shook his head and sprayed the dwarf bits on the rest of the men. They seemed startled, frightened, but then an urgal lifted a battle cry and they all surged forward again. Nethia wasted no more time and began to hurriedly climb down the cliff to reach her companions.

[Max452]

The Warden let out a silent sigh, disappointed in the scouts' refusal. He really didn't want to shed more blood. Drawing forth his other blade, he calmly watched as the dwarf charged at him, trying to read his weaknesses and strength so that he could provide the necessary counterstrikes. He kicked the man beside his feet in the face, effectively knocking him out so that he would not worry about him during his fight, before charging himself toward the dwarf.

Evander skidded to a halt when Nefrox came into view and efficiently snapped the poor dwarf into pieces. His hooded eyes were wide with surprise. No one had ever come to his defense in such a manner before. He was so use to being alone that he had momentarily forgotten that he had comrades now. It was an odd feeling that sent a warmth to his heart. He would thank Nefrox later, for his attention was drawn to the urgal . Running passed Nefrox, the Warden soon found himself locked in a battle with all the men. Positioned in the middle, the Warden began a flurry of moves that consisted of twisting, blocking, thrusting, jabbing, turning, and stabbing. It seemed like an elegant, but unfair gruesome dance, but Evander was so used to being outmatched that he thought little of it, opting to concentrate on the intricate moves that would avoid the axe flying passed his head or the sword that had nearly skewered his ribs. He had given these men fair warning, now it was time to unleash his strength and defend the honor of Alagaesia.

[Trinn]

The men scurried towards the warden like little ants. Nefrox rose above them all, watching indignantly. Did they not think him a worthy threat? He would make them, then! Lunging into fleshy mass, he snapped down on his victims with tooth and claw. Eventually some of the crowd turned toward him. Of course they attacked his wings and his eyes, but Nefrox had been warded profusely by Nethia. It was one of the tricks that Nethia's friend, Gloriann, had taught her. A good trick! Lifting back his head, Nefrox opened his maw and released a thin stream of fire, concentrating the flame on only a few men at a time.

"Why have you betrayed us, Nefrox!?" A kull shouted, lifting his giant broadsword in the air. Nefrox turned towards him, looking at him with both silver eyes. He was truly surprised that any of these men would recognize him. Far more likely that they would recognized Nethia. He certainly did not recognized the kull.

A sudden flash of black came hurtling towards the kull from behind. He toppled forward, an arrow sticking out of his back. Nethia sat crouched upon the kull. "It is not he who betrayed you, but I." she said as she stood and stepped off of the dying kull. "Nefrox has always hated Katriana and her army." The giant urgal glared at Nethia, until the light drained from his eyes and his head dropped to the dirt lifeless.

Nefrox felt gratified. "And I am sorry that I ever forced you into her ranks." she said to him. Two men rushed up, and Nefrox leapt protectively over his rider. He beat the two men down with a paw, giving Nethia time to climb up his side and to the saddle, where only she belonged.

[Max452]

With the flick of his wrist, Evander finished off the last standing scout with his blade. He dislodged the blade from the human scout's collarbone, swiping it in the air to divulge it from blood. He glanced around at the litter of bodies that strewn across the earth; blood seeping into the ground. Evander sighed, disappointed that these men had to die. He placed his swords carefully back into their rightful places on his back. They would have to leave this area soon; no doubt their comrades would come looking for them. Evander made to move, but then grimaced and groaned out of pain. He reeled and stumbled to one of his knees. His right hand went to his side. He removed his hand and saw the crimson blood upon it. This was the downside of wearing his leather armor; he was susceptible to attacks. He would have healed it immediately, but he had used up all his energy (including those he had stored in the pommels of his blades). They would have to find a more secure location to look at his wound. He grunted as he pushed his hand against the wound, hoping to stop the bleeding. It was a deep cut, and Evander knew that he would have to remove his upper armor to get a better look at it - clean it too. He glanced around for his companions, hoping they faired better as he staggered to his feet. "Nethia? Nefrox?" He called out to them, before stumbling completely to his knees. His vision became a bit groggy. "Poison?" He deduced aloud, realizing that one of the scouts had coated their blade with poison.

[Tismri]

OOC: Mmmkay, time to try to get back in here...

Glory bit her lip as she tried to recall Katriana's exact orders to her. "She told me that they had been captured, and I am to go rescue them...even if they don't want to be rescued." She sighed and scratched through the sand with her fingers. "I know what you're thinking, but I don't think it will work, Seth. Remember, she's set her spirits on me to keep me in line." She grit her teeth together. "As much as I hate to say it, Seth, I don't think keeping you here with me is helping any. You're not going to find a way to free me as long as you're here." She glanced up at him, her eyes tearful. "You need to find some other way to free me; find some of the older Riders like my mother and uncle. Maybe they'll figure out what to do."

[Max452]

Seth did not bother to hide the frown that developed on his features. Glory was right. Katriana had done something to her mind to ensure that she would always be aware of what Glory was doing; there would be no easy way to help her friend escape. He crossed his arms, trying to think of another solution. His frown deepened at Glory's logical suggestion. "No." He answered firmly. "I'm not leaving you." He would not allow her to be subjugated to Katriana's wild whims and crazed manipulations. He didn't want to tell her that he had been secretly sending information to Master Sidhion on her condition, since they both knew Katriana would be aware of it instantly if he had done so. No, he would remain keeping his secrets until he was absolutely sure on how to free Glory. Until then, though, he would remain by Glory's side. He would figure it out. He had to.
"I'm fine here, Glory. You need me just as much as I need you; I'm not going anywhere." He stated. "Just be patient a little longer, Glory; I'll find a way to free you. I promise." He assured her as he leaned over to give her a kiss on the cheek.

***

Evander's breathing became heavy as he realized that poison was now flowing within his body. He willed his body to remain calm, knowing that adrenaline would make the poison seep into his bloodstream faster. "Nethia, my pack...quickly..." He gasped out as he held his bleeding side. His Father had taught him to combat against most poisons, but unless he figured out what truly flowed in his veins, his knowledge was of no use.

[Trinn]

Ignoring her Warden's request to retrieve his pack, Nethia strode to his side and sank to her knees to kneel over him. "It's ok, Warden." She said, feeling perfectly calm. She wasn't good with arrows, but magic was a different thing all together. "Just sit still." Squinting in concentration, Nethia gingerly placed two fingers over the open wound, hovering above it before pressing down on the wound. It probably pained the Warden rather fiercely but he would have to deal with it.

She began uttering words in the ancient language and a second later her gedway ignasia burned brightly with indigo light. A dark liquid began seeping out of the wound and up her fingers, gathering into an orb in her palm. The process took longer than she thought it would, and Nefrox had to lend her some of his energy towards the end. She didn't bother healing the slash, as extracting the poison had taken enough out of her. She sat back on her heels and smirked at the large orb that had crystalized from the poison. It was actually darkly beautiful. "Here, Warden," She said, handing the orb to her armored protector, "A keepsake of our first battle together." A wave of weariness overcame her and she sat down hard on her butt. "May I suggest we find a place to rest now? I need a nap and you need a bandage."

OOC: This is a rather rushed response, but I hope to get back into the swing of things soon!

[Max452]

OOC: No worries! Good post! I'm a bit rusty too. Let's mend that, shall we?

A burning sensation sliced through Evander's bloodstream as the poison snaked toward his slowing heart. A slight panic erupted within him when Nethia refused to comply with his wishes and instead, knelt by his side. Was this her plan all along? To watch him die? It felt as if a large stone had dropped in his stomach; more painful than the searing fire that was traversing in his veins. "Neth..ia..." He gasped out, blinking rapidly, as he tried to discern why she had betrayed him...and why it had hurt so much. Believing that he was facing his doom, it was with great surprise, then, when Nethia uttered words of assurance and comfort; the stone in his stomach lifted, replaced by swirling sensations that bounced and bunched itself throughout his body. The feeling was far more poignant than that of relief. It was something more...

Evander had little time to comprehend the drastic emotion when it became possible for his pain to increase a hundred fold. The Warden threw his head back in a guttural scream, as his body arched in pain. Nethia's attempts to heal him was effective, but excruciating! It felt as if someone had thrown him into a dragon's fiery maw and then into a volcano for good measure, all the while hacking away with a dull saw. It felt like an eternity as Nethia rebuked the poison from his system; so caught up in his own pain and withering that he failed to notice the dark liquid leave his body.

Relief. Pure, undiluted relief came to Evander the moment he resigned himself to death. Body drenched in sweat and blood, Evander gasped up from his position on the floor. He glanced upward at Nethia. A woman that was much more than what she appeared. The fading sun behind her enhanced her delicate features, though her face was partially hidden by shadow and hair; the image stirred something within Evander as he lay breathing air into his abused body. A dark beauty, he mused in his exhausted state.

He barely registered Nethia's speech until she presented him a dark orb. Evander squinted, trying to focus his vision. He realized, as she continued to speak, that it was the poison. It was fascinating how her magic had crystallized it, as if eternalizing this moment for the two of them. He wearily reached out for it, lightly grazing Nethia's fingers with his own as he took the orb within his hand. "Thank you." He expressed with a light blush on his cheeks. He had never received such a gift before, but that did not explain the rampage his beating heart was now undergoing. "I will," he cleared his throat, realizing how husky it sounded, "treasure it always." An involuntary smile graced his tired lips as he gazed up at Nethia. She drew away from him then, and Evander had to refrain from furrowing his brow at the sudden disappointment that coursed through him. He slowly nodded to her wise words. "Yes. Best away from this sight, lest we run into more unwanted company. Let us continue a bit further; we may be able to find shelter further in the woods." He hoisted himself up, gingerly placing weight in the appropriate places so not to jostle his wound. It was still bleeding, but not was thoroughly as before; for that he was grateful. He offered a tired hand to Nethia, trying to shake away these odd, unfamiliar feelings within him. It must be the trauma of the poison Evander thought as he awaited Nethia to rise.

[Trinn]

Nethia squinted her eyes at him, unsure of her vision was tricking her or not. Was her warden actually smiling? You both look good when your face skin is pulled up that way. Nefrox intoned, nodding. Smiling is it? Ah, it instills within me a happiness. Indeed.

Nethia quickly stopped "lifting her face skin". A moment of absent mindedness. No time for smiles, Nefrox. We are in the middle of war! She did her best to smooth her features and remember herself, yet the image of the Warden's smile still persisted in her mind. And the way he had looked at her, the brush of his fingers. She had no idea what it was she was feeling, but was grateful that Nefrox kept quite on the matter. As quiet as a bond could be anyway. Something about mates was the topic of his ponderings.

Nethia grabbed her warden's offered hand and pulled herself up. Her legs felt like jelly but she did her best not to show it. "Thank you." She said gruffly. "Neither of us are fit for walking right now, and we've no horses. Nefrox has offered to let you sit upon him so that we may find a haven sooner rather than later." She turned and strode over to Nefrox. The indigo dragon had crouched as low as he could to the ground, resting his belly on the dry soil. He watched them with his silver eyes. Nethia clmabered up to the saddle and strapped herself in. She looked down at her wounded guard and lifted an expectant eyebrow. This was perhaps the first time she felt allowed to boss him around, and she rather enjoyed it. She reached out a hand and wiggled her fingers. "Come on, Warden. And... Why don't you have a horse?" she asked, wondering why she had not thought of it before.

[Max452]

Evander rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly after he helped Nethia to her feet. She had been smiling a moment ago, but perhaps out of embarrassment it had immediately vanished. He felt akin to a fool with the odd feelings that were conjuring within him. Yes, it must be his exhausted state that was making him feel out of his mind. Not Nethia's proximity. Nope. "You're welcome." He uncharacteristically mumbled to Nethia's gratitude as he watched her march off. A perplex expression graced his features for a moment as he considered her. She had appeared ungrateful by the roughness of her voice, but for some reason, Evander knew it was just the opposite. She was enigma for sure, but oddly, he felt a surge of excitement in discovering more about her.

He hobbled after her to where Nefrox was located. "Thank you." He replied to the dragon, grateful for his assistance in the skirmish. "I am glad to have you as my friend." He added before gently padding his snout. He glanced up when Nethia called for him, resisting the urge to lift an amused eyebrow at her taking charge. No one took charge of the Warden; he was ruled by no man, but gave his service freely. Typically, he would be annoyed, and yet, he was not. It was endearing, really, and he could not help but allow her to command him so. He felt too weak to climb, but knew that it was necessary for their safety. He tilted his head at her sudden inquiry and in a gesture that was so very Evander and not of the Warden, he shrugged. "I don't know." He was too tired to think on it. He used to have a horse, but he could not recall exactly what happened to him. He must be too exhausted after all. No matter. He could not dwell on the past. With Nethia's help, Evander managed to climb onto Nefrox and settle himself behind his Savior. It was ironic really, how the Warden, a man considered a savior to many, now had one of his own. He found he didn't mind that one bit.