Crossroads

[Trinn]

Kili glanced at the boy and returned the strange head tapping gesture. This boy might cause a stir today, if Kili found the courage to ask a favor of the parents. He hadn't known about this third dragon rider until he had landed among the tribe. The pair were young stil, and would be a valuable addition to the dragon riders in New Doru Arabea. Holding his tongue, Kili accepted a plate handed to him and focused on the food. The bird was greasy and good, and Kili wolfed it down in seconds. He looked around and realized that everyone else was still eating. "Uh, twas good and filling, Rider Cirilai." he told the woman. He had been among his dwarven kin for a while again, and had forgotten that men and elves did not have quite the appetites that he and his knurlan did. The bird was really only a snack, and his stomach threatened to rumble again. After a second, his stomach did betray him and he smiled sheepishly. Somehow this was what made Cirilai smile.

"You have a healthy appetite. I have heard that dwarfs eat twice as much as other men, though they be smaller." And amazingly, Kili got seconds. "That should hold you for now, I hope." She said afterwards, smirking. Kili wasn't sure if she was making fun of him or not, so he just nodded and smiled back. While he waited for the others to finish their food, he examined his ascudgamin. The spikes protruded from the knuckles of his left hand about half an inch. They came in handy during a battle, though so far he had only been forced into skirmishes with urgals. The big brutes always underestimated him. He remembered the operation to have the weapons placed. The dwarf magicians had taken great care to examine his hand and bone density very carefully before agreeing to continue with the operation. It was a success, and for a while he had been the envy of his clan. Not many were brave enough to risk the procedure. He caught Cirilai staring at his knuckles. "A weapon I never have to put down." he told her.

When it seemed that everyone had finished, Kili crossed his fingers together and began. "With your permission, I would like to report to the order of the Dragon Rider's your presence. This does not mean you need to travel to New Doru Arabea, it simply means we will have a more accurate count of the dragons that roam this land, and the riders on their backs." He directed the question to Kunin, knowing that he would be the hardest one to win over. "Furthermore, I would like to enlist your aid in fighting the demonspawn the Shade Rider has created. We will need every able rider in the battles that are sure to come"
~~~

Joro watched the approach of another dragon, a little fledgling. Well met grey-scale. My name is Joro. We have come here to enlist the aid of your friends. And... he stopped before saying more. Kili had intervened and cut him off. Now was not the time to ask that question. He blinked at Myst, then looked over at Chatura. The orange beauty had him enraptured. He edged closer yet to her.

He had mated twice back in New Doru Arabea, but never found a true mate. Bonded dragons often settled with a mate for life, but Joro had not found a true mate yet. He doubted he ever would. Kili was not likely to meet a like minded rider with a suitable she-dragon. That was oft how those things went with bonded pairs. Still, Joro had a healthy appetite, and he felt he had a certain duty to his dragon kin to reproduce and keep their kind alive. After all, it was only sixteen years ago that everyone thought dragons were night extinct.

He edged closer and closer, and began to keen. Chatura suddenly rounded on him, placing a foot on his neck and shoving him to the ground. She bared her teeth, snapped at him, and then bounded back into the sky. Joro got back to his feet and watched her go, tail twitching. He shuffled his wings, preparing to launch into the sky after her.

[Tismri]

Zee gave occasional glances at their odd dinner guest as he ate his food. Part of his face was still tender from his most recent tattoo--the dragon design showing him as a Rider. It made eating a tad difficult, but he'd long ago learned to deal with the stinging. His eyes moved to the dwarf's knuckles when he pointed out the spikes that protruded from them. His eyes widened in curiosity; if he thought tattoos could hurt, he couldn't imagine what Kili had gone through to get that done. He was about to comment when the conversation turned to more important matters. His father responded to the dwarf's reasons.

"You have my permission to notify the Riders of our presence," he stated. "Indeed, I suspect they are already aware, even if they don't quite remember or have official record of us. Though we are generally private folk, the presence of dragons is hard to hide, and was especially so when friendly and hostile alike could stumble upon us at any point." He gave Cirilai a glance; he knew that she and Chatura had met a couple of Varden Riders not too long after Chatura had hatched, although the meeting was brief. And he recalled his own battle against Galbatorix's Red Rider when she had learned of his and Lux's existence. Beyond that, with their rather frequent visits to the town of Celesti, they were not doing too much to keep their presence a secret any longer.

"As for joining in the battle, I will tell you the same reasons the Ayati gave for remaining neutral in the last war: we will protect our tribe, our family, above any other responsibility the world tries to place upon us. We may become involved in the fight--fate has a way of seeing that happen--but we will not abandon our people."
~~~~~
Myst watched Joro's behavior curiously, wondering what he was doing with Chatura. She just about jumped in surprise when Chatura turned and struck out at him. She'd never seen her orange friend react so fiercely. Lux was even more frightening, releasing a growl loud enough to shake the earth, low and threatening.

If you wish for you and your Rider to remain welcome here, I suggest you keep to yourself, Lux told Joro before leaping into the sky after Chatura. He'd never had to deal with competition for his mate before, and his righteous jealousy overtook him quickly. A part of him worried that Chatura might be taken in by this newcomer, and that was a thought he could not stand.

Kunin rubbed his temple at the flow of emotions he felt coming from his bond. Although Lux was keeping his specific thoughts hidden from him, he could tell from the earlier sounds the dragons had been making what exactly was going on. And who is the worrying one now? he asked, nearly smiling. Lux never was good at hiding his feelings, from Kunin or any others.

[Trinn]

Kili tried to think carefully about how to respond. He understood the idea of duty and honor, but sometimes to protect one thing, you had to protect something larger outside of that one thing. JORO! He bellowed, scrunching his eyes up against his bonds current mood. He hated when Joro felt the need to mate. Glancing at Kunin and the way the man rubbed his temple, he could tell the Ayati was having similar problems. Emotions through the bond could sometimes be a great annoyance. I'm shutting you out, you've crossed the line! Settle down or take a flight somewhere else for a moment! And with that, Kili snapped the dragon out of his mind. His eyes un-krinkled and he bore a pleasant expression once more. "Forgive him," he begged on behalf of Joro, "The dragon has felt rather isolated being the only of his kind in these mountains for some time."

Moving on, Kili waved a hand. "I understand what you are telling me. However, would you not be best serving your people by joining the riders to help us form the fight against the shade rider? I look around this tribe and see plenty of capable looking people. What about the others with face marks? I understand that marks those of you as some sort of elite? Xerra's parents, for example. Surely they could look after things while the both of you attended to the larger dangers facing Alageasia, and by extension, the Ayati?" Kili spoke in his most reassuring voice. The last thing he wanted was to insult someone by accident. Seeing how the Ayati were prideful and stubborn, an accidental insult might be rather easy to achieve.
~~

Cirilai was with Chatura in the sky and in her own skin at the campfire. The dwarf did have a point. What good were they doing here in their tribe when Cyan and Ashod could look after things? The biggest threat would be a magician or dragon rider, but the Ayati had their own magicians and dragon riders. But only if she and Kunin stayed. She eyed her husband now, wishing she could read his thoughts as easily as Chaturas'. Her bond had been furious a moment ago, incensed that such a young dragon would try to win her over from Lux. Such could never happen. She knew Chatura loved only Lux in that matter, and Lux would no doubt atempt to slay the golden fool if he tried anything further. She noticed how the dwarf flinched slightly at Lux's great roar. Afraid for his Joro, no doubt. Rather than say anything, she remained silent. She trusted Kunin's decision on these matters, and she would speak to him in private if she found something she disagreed on. Her gaze turned to her son, and she could see a light of fascination in his eyes. That worried her. She understood the need to explore outside the tribe. After all, that is how she had found Kunin. Her need to explore might have easily passed down to Zee.
***

Joro's scales bristled at the roar from white-scales. However he was not stupid, and knew when he had been defeated. He lowered his head in submission to the white dragon until he flew off after the citrine beauty. Disheartened and shut out from Kili's mind, Joro sighed and laid down, resting his head on the ground. He blinked at looked at the little grey-scales, having forgotten her in his endeavors. How hatched are you? he asked her. I am sixteen years from the egg.

[Tismri]

Kunin concentrated on isolating Lux's thoughts from his own, placing the dragon's overwhelming emotions in a walled part of his mind so that he could better focus on the matter at hand. He rarely shut his bond out entirely, as he remembered the loneliness from his years as an outcast. Their connection was one of the first he had in many years, and one of the most intimate.

"I understand your concerns, my friend. To some measure, I agree with you. The Shade represents a danger to us all. But we still have our first loyalty to home and our people, and to leave them would expose them to dangers as enemy Riders. We may be strong, but most of the tribe would be at the mercy of the dragons." He glanced over at his wife, considering for a moment. "Cirilai and I will need some time to discuss the details. However, believe me when I say that we will not ignore the plight of our friends and allies. If they ever request help of us, we will readily assist."

Zee sat quietly through the conversation, listening to the exchange. His father's decision seemed wise to him, but he couldn't help but wonder if taking a more direct action against the Shade Rider might be necessary. After all, he thought of what Ian had accomplished after leaving Bromsland and forming Arucane. There were many time when he'd considered finding his friend and joining with his cause. But his responsibility to his family always kept him from going.
~~~~~
Myst stared after her older friends with concern as they flew away, both of them appearing upset. Their anger was something she had never witnessed before, and she hoped they would never turn against her for any reason. Once they were out of sight, she settled and began to relax. She watched her new golden friend curiously, and his question caught her off guard.
I'm less than a year from hatching, she admitted, a little embarrassed by her obvious youth.

[Trinn]

Kili was feeling a little more at ease with Kunin's second response on the matter. If a battle were imminent, it seemed that they would come to aid the dragon riders. With no planned battle on the horizon, then the two riders would remain with their people to keep them safe. He could not argue that. "Thank you. Your reassurance as allies to the dragon riders assures and relieves me. I don't say it lightly when I say that the two of you would be a great asset in whatever battles may come." He tapped his fingers together and glanced at the boy quickly. He felt uneasy about his next proposal. Somehow he knew that his next request would be met with absolute denial, perhaps even hostility. Still, he would try.

"Friends," he began, "Your son here seems like a fine young lad. His bond seems even younger. I do not doubt that you could teach him much and more of what it means to be a dragon rider, however, I think it might benefit him greatly if he were to come with me to learn from the elders in New Doru Arabea. Understand that once his training was finished, he could return to you." He steepled his fingers and looked nervously across them at the father and mother. He could see a fearful gleam in Cirilai's eyes. Kunin, however... That one was rooted in tradition. His response would be key.
~~~

With Kili cut out from his conscious mind, Joro decided to ask the question. I see. You are young and without proper training. Young one, you and your rider should accompany me and mine to New Doru Arabea. The elders there can teach you of many things. Knowledge of magic, weaponry, battle, aerial maneuvers, herbal remedies, the ancient language, philosophy and the history of our land. All the other numerous things that only dragon riders are privy too. We can show you how to open up your full potential and become a true dragon and rider.

[Tismri]

Kunin was relieved when the dwarf seemed to accept his judgment. He knew Cirilai was not eager to leave the tribe, and he felt sometimes that she was even more cautious around strangers than he was. After all, he'd had to deal with people individually for years while he was an outcast, while she always had the whole tribe to back her up.

He frowned at Kili's next request, however. He'd been afraid someone would ask such a thing ever since Zee had returned to camp with the hatchling. He glanced over at Ciriai and saw the obvious fear in her eyes. She was not ready to let her child go just yet, he knew. But at the same time, Zee was nearly a man, old enough to make decisions on his own. He looked at his son, who appeared thoughtful.

"Another thing we will have to discuss, friend; however, it is one that Zebulin himself should give his opinion on." Zee met his father's gaze, though his expression continued to be absent.

Zee was considering the dwarf's suggestion. Around this time last year, he would have jumped at the chance. Studying in New Doru Araeba would have him with Ian, and a few other friends. He always dearly missed his best friend, and after Ian had left for Bromland, Zee hardly ever saw him. Eva, too, would have been a pleasant sight. But now Ian had returned to Alagaesia. Zee wasn't sure of his exact whereabouts, but he was determined to find out.

"I thank you for the offer," he said carefully. He wasn't sure what the elders in Bromsland thought of Ian's new faction, and preferred not to reveal too much. "However, I have more responsibilities here. Perhaps when the Shade Rider has been defeated and things have settled down."
~~~~~
Myst thought over Joro's suggestion. The way he explained Bromsland sounded too good to be true, but she also knew Zee's thoughts on the matter. He didn't trust the elders there; after hearing how one of the students joined the Shade's cause, and Zee's old friend had fled from there, he doubted the true worth of their lessons.

Zee doesn't really want to, though, she told Joro. He doesn't think Bromsland has good teachers. He wants to go find his friend Ian, and I want to meet him too, and his bond Castiel. I've never met either of them, and Zee has never seen Cas before, either.

[Trinn]

Kili was beginning to become slightly frustrated. What sort of responsibilities did the boy have here? Of course as a rider he was valuable to the tribe, but the tribe would forever more have two dragon riders. Unless Cirilai and Kunin were struck down in battle, they would live for many generations to come. "I understand your sentiments." He stated gravely. "Understand, however, that as dragon riders we share a much greater duty than any other. We are the ones who must protect Alagaesia as a whole." Kili paused. "I will let you all have your discussions as you see fit. Joro and I have more patrolling to do today. I shall find you again on the morrow." Kili stood and bowed to Kunin and Cirilai, and nodded to Zebulin. He turned to leave, but hesitated. "I would like to leave you with one more thought. A dragon rider is the only creature who can travel the land quickly, and strike at the foe surely and ferociously. We have not just our steel to cut with, but our dragons might to aid us as well. We are the only hope Alagaesia has against the great foes that rise up to beat us all down. One might call it selfish, to keep your great and unique power hidden within your tribe, when you could be saving lives all across Alagaesia. I understand your duty to your tribe, but when those dragons hatched for you and the silver mark was seared onto your hand, the gedwey ignasia, your duty became so much more." Kili lifted his own palm, where the shimmering gedwey ignasia lay. "This unites us to a larger cause." He smiled to show he meant everything in good faith. "Think on it, friends. I will see you again." Kili did not want to talk any further. He had said what he needed to and would let the riders make their decisions. He turned and strode quickly away, back to Joro.

He thought perhaps he was jealous of the Ayati. They seemed never to reject their kin, and were loathe to leave. It was the opposite in his clan. Once Joro had hatched, they had seemed almost eager to kick him out. It was then that Kili's world had become larger, more than just his clan and their ways. He belonged to the world at large now. Perhaps what he said would have some effect on them. If not... well at least he had tried.
~~

Joro bristled slightly at Mysts response. No good teachers!? Your rider knows not what he speaks of. The teachers at New Doru Arabea are like none other. Some have lived ages, others have experienced more than any man should in a single lifetime. There is no teacher better than experience, and ever elder in New Doru Arabea has an abundance of it. He noticed Kili coming his way then, and then felt his rider re-enter his mind. He was relieved and comforted by the restored connection. Myst, chose wisely. There is only so much you can learn stuck in a tribe like this. There is a whole entire world waiting for you to explore it and learn of it. Unless you and your rider leave, your knowledge will remain limited. Kili was mounted on his back now, and Joro bent his head and nudged the fledgling amiably. Farewell for now.

Bunching himself up, Joro sprang into the air and sped quickly away. He could tell that Kili was eager to be gone, and he himself felt the need to stretch his wings. Not far off he spied Lux and Chatura. He hoped the two of them could forgive his earlier actions. So? he asked Kili.

So nothing. Now we wait until tomorrow.

[Tismri]

Zee watched the dwarf take his leave, contemplative as he had always been. He considered over everything Kili had told to him, as well as the comments Joro made to Myst. He conceded that they had a point: he had much to learn. There was only so much knowledge he could gain from remaining with the tribe, while perhaps the teachers could train him, allowing him to know better how to protect his people.

But Ian left them, he told himself, a slight frown on his face. It happened soon after his cousin joined the Shade's forces. He will have need of me, I'm sure of it.

You could just tell the dwarf about your position here, Myst suggested as she returned to her resting place by his tent. There are few Ayati with the ability to make the permanent marks, and none of them possess your skill. Zee smiled at her compliment, brushing his hand against his face, where the mark that designated him as a giver of marks was placed. He glanced up at his parents when he noticed his father gazing at him intently. Those red eyes frightened most people, but Zee always saw past the color and knew that there was always love in his expression.

"I'll think about it," he promised them. He stood and stretched, having a mind to speak about this with Xerra before making a decision. "Thank you for the meal, Mom." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek before leaving to find Xerra.

[Trinn]

Cyan had her hands on her hips. "Xerra, you must never keep so far away from the tribe." she was saying. "A dragon rider found you, but you were lucky that he was from the order of the riders. Next time, the rider might have come from the dark one." She shuddered to think of it. And Zee... he should have known better than to leave her!

The inside of the tent was warm. Cyan's doubled bladed staffs rested in one corner, with the other weapons. On the other side were the fur pelts that marked their beds. It was hard for Cyan to acknowledge that soon Xerra would be an adult, with a husband no doubt. There were plenty of suitable men. Perhaps even Zee. The two did spend quite a bit of time together. Those thoughts were doing little to ease her mind. "I don't know what has gotten into you lately, child of mine. You are so withdrawn lately. Tell me, what is it?"

[Tismri]

Xerra stared across the tent as her mother scolded her. It wasn't a terribly unusual thing these days, as it seemed she rarely listened to either of her parents. She glanced up at her mother when her tone shifted from upset to concerned. She stayed silent, biting her lip for a moment before answering, "I am fine, Mother. I just...I have a lot of things on my mind lately. I would prefer to be alone as I think on them." She toyed with her scimitar for a moment as she considered. "Do you...love Father?" she asked, curiously. Ever since she'd learned that their marriage had been arranged, and that her mother had once been promised to another, doubts always played in her mind.

[Trinn]

Cyan leaned back, take by surprise. Why would Xerra ask her such a thing? Of course she had not loved Ashod completely for a little while. Arranged marriages were difficult, and he had been more of a friend than a mate to her their first few years together. The man she had first loved was slain many years ago, but she had never forgotten him. A part of her heart would always belong to him. Her marriage to Ashod had come at a very difficult time in Cyan's life, so it was no surprise that she was distant at first. But over time she had come to love her husband fully. "I love your father very much, Xerra. Do not doubt that." Her expression softened. Had she done something to make her child feel some sense of discord? It pained her to think of it. "Why do you ask me this, Xerra?"

[Tismri]

Xerra thought over her mother's response carefully. Though she had no reason to doubt her honesty, she thought she'd noticed a hesitation in her voice. She sighed as she wrapped her arms around her knees and gazed at the floor.

"I just wonder if it's worth it to search for happiness," she admitted. "It seems like it will lead more often to misery instead." After another moment, she glanced back up at her mother. "Do you think I should pursue my dreams, or just accept life as it comes to me?" She bit her lip as she contemplated the question herself; the answer would lead her to her next step in life, from where she stood at a crossroads. Accepting what life would bring would have her remain with the tribe as duty called, marry and have children as her parents had done. But if she were to pursue her own desires...well, she would have to go out and find them, first.

[Trinn]

At last Cyan began to understand the late moods of her daughter. Xerra revealed her concern, and Cyan felt her heart beat a little quicker. "Dear one." She began and sat down next to Xerra. "The wanderlust comes to us all. Some of us chose that it is better to be certain of comfort and security and settle down with a so-called normal life. Others of us can not be satisfied by those things. They must wander out into the world and find the thing that makes them feel a true happiness." Cyan had to pause a moment, because she feared what her daughters decision might already be. More than anything she wanted Xerra to remain with the Ayati, where she would be safe and well protected. There were too many variables outside of the tribe that would risk Xerra's life. As a mother she could not stomach it. But she did not also want her daughter to be unhappy. "The only thing you should accept, is that misery nor happiness are ever certain. Usually, life gives you both in equal measure. Child, there are many many things outside of our humble home that may cause you great misery, perhaps even your life. But within our tribe you will always find friends, food, shelter, acceptance. You must consider what is worth sacrificing, and what is worth keeping. Should you leave, you may very well find things that make your heart quicken with joy. Or, you may discover that life outside of our tribe is not so wonderful as others may claim. I have never left the tribe, so I cannot tell you with certainty what you will find." Cyan reached out and grabbed Xerra's hands. "I wish nothing more than for you to be happy, and safe. Please, dear one, don't do anything rash."

[Tismri]

Xerra met her mother's gaze as she felt like she was reading straight into her heart. Somehow, it seemed like her mother always knew what was exactly on her mind with only a few words said. It was a gift she heard many mothers had, and she wondered if she would have it herself one day.

Mother's assurance that she would always find friends and acceptance within the tribe was part of the reason she knew she wanted to leave. She knew she was so close to so many of the Ayati, and that was what she was secretly afraid of. She couldn't bear it if something happened to her parents, or to Zee, or anyone else she knew. Maybe to wander the world alone was her best answer. She looked down at her hands as her mother grasped them.

"I won't, Mother," she promised. "Whatever I choose, I will think it over carefully. I'm glad, though, that you would understand if I..." She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence out loud, as if fearing that saying it would seal the choice for her one way or the other.

[Trinn]

Seeing the battle in her daughters eyes pained Cyan. She wrapped her arms around Xerra tightly, trying to pour all of the love she bore for Xerra into it. "Just remember," she said as she embraced her daughter, "that to know love your must know pain, to know peace you must know war, and to know life, you must know death." Cyan hugged Xerra a little tighter still. "There is balance to everything. I have known great misery, but through that, I have come to know great joy. You and Ashod fill my heart with love and happiness, and I know that I can never take it for granted because before the two of you were in my life I had known a very great loss. The loss still bears upon my heart, but I carry it gratefully for it has shown me that happiness can be had no matter the trials of this life." At last Cyan leaned back and held Xerra at arms length. "I don't know what it is, but something is telling me that you are experiencing a great storm in your young life. You should know these things at least before you make any sort of decision. Come, why don't we go outside and enjoy the last few hours of daylight? Or perhaps you would like to tell me what else is troubling you?"