Unpleasant news.

[thefirsteragon]

"Yeah, I'm sure that I have." He stared at the spot for a moment longer, then followed her to the sparring grounds. He gazed around for a moment, taking it all in, before turning to her. He saw that she glanced up, and he followed her eyes to see the General. "Ahh the infamous General." He nodded to him, then turned again, simultaneously sliding his sword from his sheath. "Shall we block our blades?" He removed the whole thing from the sheath, then muttered, "Geuloth du knifr." A spark winked between his fingers, as he ran them along the entire length of the blade, creating a thick slippery block to the blade. He then got into his stance waiting for his to do the same.

Góùréd soared through the sky next to Eridor, loving every moment of it. He loved to be in the air, for after all, he was a dragon. He and Eridor were on the edge of Surda, just flying above the plush forests. Góùréd spotted a whole herd of deer, and banked steeply to the right. 'Do you want the first kill?' He asked Eridor, while he kept his eyes on the prey, hunter's instinct taking over.

[Trinn]

Eridor began gliding, not wanting the herd below to hear the flapping of his wings and scatter. He eyed the golden dragon beside him. It does not matter. If you see a good kill, go for it. Eridor locked onto a stag near the back of the group. This was a fairly large animal, the rack at least nine point, and the fur a shaggy black. The keen eyesight of Eridor enabled him to see the animal's breast heaving up and down. This poor animal had maybe a month more to live. If he didn't fall to a wolf or hunter first. Breaking away from his spot next to Eridor, he doubled back towards his prey. It was about that time that the herd grew aware of the dragons flying above them and broke into a small stampede. Fortunately, Eridor's chosen prey remained at the back. Drawing within range, Eridor dove down swiftly, and caught the aged animal within his talons. Before the stag could start thrasing, Eridor bit down upon its neck swiftly. No need for it to suffer. Got one. He announced to Góùréd. Landing on his hind legs, Eridor began his meal. A minute later he was in the sky again, locking onto another deer.

"We shall," Elaine said as she placed her fingers above the blade of her rapier. Whispering the words "Geuloth du knifr", her blade became too dull to cut with. Perfect for sparing. As she took her stance, she noticed with some amazment Equinox's sword was that of a riders. I'll ask later. However, with her weapon being a slim rapier, and his a golden riders sword, Elaine figured she would have to move quickly. A riders sword could easily break a simple rapier. Before beginning the fight, Elaine called out to Equinox, "try not to break my weapon. It's an heirloom." With a smile, Elaine slinked forward, initiating the spar.

[thefirsteragon]

Góùréd gave a soft growl as he sighted his prey and swooped down, tucking his wings to his sides. He snatched it up in his powerful jaws, and broke it's neck so it wouldn't feel pain. He then landed and killed it painlessly, then started to consume it. He gave another small growl as he felt his strength replenishing, and took off again. He ate the whole thing, bones and all, then took off again into the sky. He soared higher this time, taking his time, looking for the larger sized bucks in the head of the herd. He found one then descended again until he was almost upon it. He stopped suddenly as an arrow whizzed past his head. He glanced around, and saw several hundred troops marching through the woods, nearing Abernon. Crossbowmen were aiming at him and Eridor, so Góùréd climbed higher in the air, doding arrows while he did so. 'Eridor! Watch out, there are soldiers!' He quickly sent that message to the other dragon, then climbed above a cloud, where the soldiers could not see him. 'Equinox! Soldiers are nearing Abernon. They have shot at Eridor and I! Alert the king.'

"Sure, I will not strike to hard." He gave a small smile, then quickly rose up his blade to meet Elaine's as she started to fight. 'She is quick.' He slid his blade down hers, an attempt to disarm her, then stopped short as Góùréd's words entered his mind. His sword clanged from his hand as she disarmed him, a worried expression on his face. "Elaine! Góùréd said soldiers shot at Eridor and him! We must go confront them." With that said, he gathered up his sword, removed the protection on it, and slid it into his sheath. He then waited for Elaine to join him, as he prepared to go to both of the dragons.

[Trinn]

Before Eridor could innitate his attack upon the deer he had picked out of the herd, his eyes locked onto motion within the woods. As soon as he looked, he noticed the small army marching swiftly towards the capital. His excellent vission focused upon the emblem emblazoned on the soldiers uniforms, and it was quickly apparent they were imperial troops. He growled when in arrow shot from the woods, towards him. He opened his maw and incinerated the missile before it could reach him. He acknowledged Góùréd's message with a mental nod. Eridor glared at the soldiers, then released a roar that created a concussion through the air. He watched with little humor some of the soldiers falter in their steps. Before they could shoot at him again, he turned sharply in his fight and headed back towards the castle. Be prepared Elaine, Imperial soldiers heading straight for Abernon. We must rouse the alarm.

Elaine smiled, satisfied when she accomplished unarming Equinox. However, she watched in concern when the elfs face became worried. Before she could ask what was wrong, he was speaking. However, Eridor's voice also boomed in her mind. "I know, Eridor just sent a similar message. We must alert Nasuada and King Orin. I'll speak with Nasuada, you go to Orin." Unblocking her blade, she shoved the weapon into it's sheath and looked up and General Kell, who was watching with evident concern. "An army of about several hundred are headed this way. Eridor and Góùréd spotted them while hunting." She watched him nod, then turn and march swfityl away. Elain wasted no more time. She ran towards Nasuada's corridors.

Eridor landed suddenly and hard in one of the castle's large courtyards, sending servants and guests scattering. His eyes caught sight of a soldier also retreating. Snarling, he cornered the man and stared him in the eyes. Usually he never spoke to anyone besides Elaine, but this tim the need was dire. Stop cowering, man. Gather the other soldiers. There are imperial soldiers headed this way, several hundred. Go! Alert all the generals, lieutenants, seargants. Hurry now! The man was able to stop his trembling and rush off inside the castle. Eridor shook his neck, impatient to wait while the enemy grew closer.

Elaine walked quickly down the corridor, towards Eridor in the courtyard beyond. Lady Nasuada had been stunned by the grave, unpleasant news, but she was a good leader and wasted no time in taking action. She had given Elaine orders not to attack until Abernon and the Varden had gathered their forces into one mass. Sunlight broke across her face as she stepped outside. Eridor snapped his head towards her. I hate waiting he informed her sullenly. Elaine tried to smile.
[/i]As do I, but it was a direct order from Nasuada. In fact, she wasn't even going to let us fight. However, she realized the folly of that decision, and relented. Be glad of that.[/i] Eridor growled.
True. Come on, get on my back and we can at least fly around the castle until things are in order. Elaine nodded and swiftly climbed onto his back. As Eridor took wing, she wondered how Equinox's own talk with the King had gone.

[thefirsteragon]

Góùréd flew swiftly with Equinox upon his back. They raced to King Orrin to tell him the unpleasant news. 'I wonder what he will make of it old friend. Land outside of the castle gates, I dont know what Orrin would think of you landing in his precious gardens.' Equinox held on tighter as Góùréd made a tight left turn, then jumped off quickly. He strode quickly to the gates of the castle, then turned to a guard stationed nearby. "Let me in." Equinox spoke calmy, because he expected no objection. "N-no. No one is to be let in." The guard stammered, fear clearly written on his face at the sight of Góùréd. Equinox stared hard at the man, the tiniest bit of anger showing through his face. "Open this gate, or I'll put the whole castle down with magic." Anger was in his voice as the soldier continued to disobey him. Equinox then reached for magic, and was about to speak words of the Ancient Language when a General ran up to him and grasped his arm. "Rider, don't! I am sorry, this man will be stripped of his rank, and flogged thourghly." Equinox's face softened at the sight of the soldier's face as the General spoke of his fate. "No. Let no harm befall this man. He was just following orders. I should have not lost my temper like that. As a Rider, I should've known better. No. As a sensible being I should've." Equinox then shook both men's hands, then strode through the now open gate.

When he and Góùrxéd reached Orrin's chambers, they found him playing among his chemistry equipment. Equinox walked up to him and grasped his shoulder. "Orrin. There are several hundred Imperial Soldiers coming from the west. Gather your troops." As Equinox told him that an image of a pretty girl, her hand sparkled with silver, and a large red dragon shot through his mind. He shook his head to clear it, then looked Góùréd conveying the image to him. He gave a dragonish sort of chuckle in his mind, then nuzzled his shoulder. 'Clear your mind little one. We have a battle on our hands.' Equinox nodded, then turned back to King Orrin. "What would you like to have us do?" He stared into the other man's eyes, then sent a message to Elaine and Eridor. 'What is the situation over there? Everything is alright?'

[Trinn]

Elaine gazed down at the castle below her. Soldiers were pouring out of the castle doors, sparkling with armor and weapons. It looked like Nasuada and General Kell had spread the word swiftly. Already ranks were being formed outside the castle, and high ranking officers rode up and down them upon great steeds. So far so good. Our forces are joining swiftly. It shouldn't be long until we have our group ready to march out. She narrowed her eyes when she spotted a lone man, un-armored, walk up to one of the generals. He held a large hammer in his hand. It looked as if the general and the man were arguing, until the general finally led the man to a place in the ranks. Ah, that must be Roran Stronghammer. she thought, curious. He, along with all the others from Carvahal, lived in their own wing of the castle. She hardly ever saw any of them, as they scarecly came out. Roran sometimes strolled the grounds, but even then rarely. Shaking her head to focus her thoughts on the situation at hand, Elaine noticed that the numbers of the small army must be currently in the five hundreds. Orrin had better lend some troops she thought with a burst of anger.

King Orin looked at the elf in shock. This man was bold enough to actually touch him! Gathering his wits together, he stared back at the elf with angry eyes. Still, the message was hard to ignore. He would deal with the elf at a better time. "This is a most unpleasant message." He fell silent and thouht for a moment. "I will gather my generals and have them bring the soldiers together. As for you, well, I have no idea who you are, except an elf. I suppose you should just go outside and wait for one of the generals to place you in the ranks." He nodded, pleased with his decision. "Now, if you'll excuse me." Walking past the elf, he regretfully left his chemistry lab and went to deal with his generals.

More soldiers began pouring out of the castel, the emblem of Surda evident upon their uniforms. Equinox must have met with the king. Good job Equinox, she said to him. Soon, the entire army was gathered, ready to march out. Banner men stood outside the ranks, their banners snapping in the wind. Are you ready, Eridor? Below her, Eridor shook his head impatiently.
Aye. I am. A horn rang out below her, and the lines of soldiers began their sonorous march. Eridor flew slowly above them.

[Max452]

Einar jumped off of Stigandr with a quick and easy motion. They had just returned from an mission in Terim, in which he had to assassinate annoying witch who was "prophesying" the downfall of the Empire. He was instructed to make it happen fast and unnoticed, which he did so with utmost earnest; he did not want people to believe such lies.

I will wait for you in our quarters, Einar. Stigandr told his Rider as he flew off to the Eastern side of the castle.
Aye. I will be quick. I just need to report to Father. Einar told him as he entered the castle, causing nervous glances from the servants.
It had been awhile since Einar had been home; although he preferred to be roaming Alagaesia - he detested the cramped spaces of the castle.

Einar headed towards the main chamber room, where he knew his father, or the man who had raised him, was pacing about.

[Trinn]

Marching down the marble halls, Vana quickly made her way to King Galbatorix's quarteres. Her hair bounced behind her as she moved swiftly, and her eyebrows were drawn down. She knew why the king wanted to speak with her. He had mobolized part of his army, sending them towards Abernon. The severlal hundred troops were probably nearly to their destination. Now, Galbatorix probably wanted to send a rider to aid them. Some odd emotion clenched her heart as she thought of another rider who would be among the varden soldiers. No, if he is there, I must not falter. Still, her hand absently traveled to the necklace that she kept beneath her shirt, so no one could see. Viel's voice boomed in her mind.
We must not be sentimental! If he is there, we have no choice but to destroy them! Vana looked down, knowing with reluctance that her dragon was right. Yet she also knew that Viel was as reluctant as she herself was. Hardening her heart, Vana raised her head, her face cold and emotionless once more.

Turning a corner, she met Einar, and this time her heart clenched with a known emotion. Unease. Vana rarely ever saw Einar, and when she did it was briefly. She fell into step beside him. "Well met, rider Einar." She glanced at him from the corner of her eye, wondering where he had been for such an extended amount of time.

[Max452]

Einar recognized the voice that now spoke to him: Vana. His right hand tensed for a moment and then relaxed. Of all the people he could run into, it had to be her. The servant turned Rider and not only just a rider, but second in command! He was raised by Galbatorix, raised and trained by him! He had the right to be the second, but no, he had chosen her instead.

Calm yourself, Einar. You know perfectly why she was chosen and not you. You are an assassin, not leader. Your duty is to be a silent killer. Stigandr managed to calm him.
You are right. Father has other things for me to do.

"Well met, Rider Vana." Einar spoke quietly as their footsteps echoed on the marble floor. He had rarely spoken to her, or to any one else in the castle; Galbatorix had kept him hidden in the castle for the majority of his life, training and educating Einar in all that he knew. Not only that, but he had been in and out of the castle for his various missions, such as this time.

"I assume you are meeting the King as well?" Einar attempted a conversation.

[Trinn]

Vana nodded. "Yes, that is correct. He asked for my presence immediately." She fell silent as they came to a large, elaborately carved wooden door, the portal to the King's chambers. Carved upon the door were pictures of dragons and riders, elfs and dwarfs. It represented the King's dream very well, his dream that he would unite all nations. "I'm assuming it has something to do with the troops he sent to Abernon." She didn't look at Einar as she spoke. He had an unsettling affect on her, probably due to the fact that he was half elf, and half human. An odd mixture. Posted on each side of the door were two guards. They all bowed deeply to the two riders while saying, "shur'tugal". Vana inclined her head to them and was about to tell her reason for coming. However, she was cut short when a guard on the left spoke before her.

"The king is waiting for you both, riders. He said for you to go in as soon as you arrived." He bowed and backed away from the door, along with the other guards. Vana glanced at Einar, then gestured for him to go in first, sweeping a hand before her. "After you, rider Einar." She did this to be polite, but who knew the working's of this strange man's mind?

[Max452]

Einar grinned under his mask as he heard that his father had expected them.

"I do believe I am inclined to allow you to enter first, Vana Argetlam." Einar slightly bowed at her, but his eyes never left her. "It is custom to allow the Lady to go in first." His voice was neither smug or harsh, but rather indifferent. With uncanny speed he appeared at the door and opened it for her. "Ladies first." He tilted his head downward and held out his left hand for her to enter.

[Trinn]

With an effort, Vana willed her body not to flinch when Einar was suddenly at the door. She noticed his eyes, how they were so attentive. Walking forward, Vana bowed her head to him. "Thank you," she said simply, then continued forth. As she passed his outstretched hand, a chill slipped down her spine. Einar was quite reknown for his skill in assissnation, and Vana could imagine only too well a knife slipping into his left hand and burying itself in her back. Yet she was able to keep her pace steady as she walked into the large room behind the doors. She wondered if Einar had any bitter feelings towards her, since she was second in command along with Murtagh, and he wasn't.

The room they now stood in was a large, grand hall. An aisle down the middle led to an elaborate gold throne, while on either side of it rose red marble columns. If the king were to wish an audience, the people would fill the spaces around the columns. Galbatorix himself sat upon the throne, watching his two riders approach him with glinting eyes. Probably the most frightening sight of all was the massive black dragon who sat behind the throne. Shruikan she thought to herself. The dragon never seemed able to focus it's eyes. The onyx orbs always seemed to be staring off into the distance, slightly hazed. And he never really moved, just sat crouched behind Galbatorix as if waiting for a command. Yes, she had heard the stories of how he had abducted the black dragon, but she chose to ignore them. Galbatroix had to do what was neccessary at the time.

Stopping a few feet before the King on his throne, Vana went to one knee and bowed her head. "My King, you requested our presence."

[Max452]

Einar shut the door quietly as Vana marched ahead of him. He glanced around the large room and tried to calm himself; since he was a child he could never shake off the small chill that ran down his back whenever he entered the main throne room.

Einar walked with Vana in silence, knowing too well that his Father was watching their every move. He also tried to keep a clear mind, knowing that Galbatorix had a very strong knack of breaking down the most strongest minds; he didn't want his father to know that he held a grudge against him for putting Vana in command.

He stopped next to Vana as she kneeled and directed herself to the King. Einar also kneeled before his Father, and placed his right hand across his chest to show his respect. He removed his mask with a flick of a finger and bowed his head respectively. He remained silent until he was directed to do otherwise.

[Trinn]

Galbatorix spread his hands wide. "Rise, my loyal riders, Vana, Einar." He said his foster son's name warmly, a soft smile on his lips. Vana rose to her feet at his command. She noted the smile he wore, and the way it didn't seem to reach his eyes. No doubt a toll of his hard life. Vana cleared her mind as he began speaking again. "As I'm sure you are both aware, I have sent a small force of the army into Surda. As we speak, they are marching to Abernon." Galbatorix got to his feet, and Vana was impressed as she always was by his size. For an old man, he was large, burly even. "To help my campaign work, I've decided that two riders give us more of a chance at victory. Vana, you've had experience with small battles before. You will be most useful to us now." He switched his eyes to Einar. "Einar, this will be a bit different for you. I'm aware that your skill lies in stealth. However, our other riders are busy at the moment, so you must go." He held a hand out toward Vana. "Follow your fellow rider, she will show you how to fight." Turning, he stared at Shruikan, and the hall was silent for a moment. Finally, he turned back around. "That is all. I would like you both to leave in an hour. Vana, you are dismissed." He sat back down in his chair. "Einar, stay a moment."

Bowing deeply, Vana backed up a few steps, then turned and walked briskly out of the throne room. Once the doors closed beside her, she allowed herself a deep breath. For reason's she did not quite understand, being in the presence of Galbatorix nearly made her heart stop. Vana, I'll be with you shortly.

Galbatorix put a hand to his chin as he stared down upon Einar. "Now, tell me my son. How did your mission go?"

[Max452]

Einar nodded in compliance, however, he was still unsure how he would fair in a real battle. True, he had been trained to do so if the case need be, but like his father said, he was better at the stealth rather then the direct combat, especially with another Rider. Despite his reluctance, it was his chance to prove himself as a Rider.

Einar could not help but to smile as he thought about his mission.
"You will be pleased, Father. I have eliminated the witch that was prophesying lies against you. As ordered, I followed her and studied her movements and her associates for the past months." He reached into the back of his cloak, where a hidden pocket lied, and pulled out a small parchment. "I intercepted a message between her and one of the merchants in Teirm. It is a detailed letter indicating their allegiance to the Varden, as well as some of the merchants who are secretly sending them supplies." He handed the parchment to him.

"Despite the mission you gave me to eliminate the witch. I also took the liberty to annihilate the other conspirators. We will not have any further disruptions from them." He bowed his head again, indicating the end of his report.