Gil'ead

[wiana]

The dragon's head lunged at him, but he moved away, putting the girl between him and his assailant. "Your rider is still alive," he said. "But if I kill her, you won't be. And if you're not careful, I will kill her. I really don't wish to kill anyone today," he said in the Ancient Language. The shade had taught him much of the language, and so had manipulating magic users.

[Trinn]

Gladia drew back quickly, not wanting any harm to befall her rider. Not only that, but what this man said was ture, as he spoke in the ancient language. Gladia really didn't care about her life, but that of her riders. For now, she would stop her attacks. Releasing a sorrowful bugle, Gladia lowered her tail and clasped her wings to her sides. She collapsed, defeated, onto the ground, showing submission. A twig snapped behind her, and Gladia turned her head to the see the slaves gathered behind her, staring in horror at the captured Gianna. They should have stayed where they were! she thought frantically. Having no choice, Gladia cast her thoughts to the minds of the slaves. Don't move! Stay behind me! This man is incredibly dangerous! The slaves nodded, backing up a few steps. Gladia returned her attention to the man. Would it be wise to speak with him? Or would he capture her mind as well? Turning her head, she picked out a strong, young slave. She entered the man's mind. Speak for me, she said simply. The young man nodded and stepped forward.

In a strong voice, he asked, "What will you do with her?"

[wiana]

Salian nodded at the other man, but did not answer at once. He evaluated the number of slaves behind the dragon, and her slumped position. He gleaned some information from his captive's mind. Then he released her, allowing the tree spirits to return to their dying bodies. The rider slumped forward and he caught her before she fell.

Using his mind, he told her to stand straight, noting with little pleasure the strange look in her eyes, a look most of the people he controlled to on when he broke their spirits. He rubbed the stubble on his chin before answering the man, though he looked at the dragon. "I will let your rider go if you hand to me these slaves." Unfortunately, he would have to manipulate their spirits, too, in order to move them all. But that couldn't be helped. If the other rider and the two dragons consented.

Another thought occurred to him, but he made sure that his expression was blank, controlled. "You may speak to me directly, Gladia. I will not break your spirit."

[Trinn]

The man's offer was tempting, and Gladia had to fight with herself not to accept it at once. The slaves behind her looked terrified. A gleam entered Gianna's eye, but dissapeared as quickly. Gianna wouldn't want the slaves to fall to that fate, even if it cost her life. Gouring her talons into the soft earth, Gladia slapped her tail against the earth in frustration. Using the same slave, she had him ask, "And if we decide no?"

Gianna, although unable to control herself, and hardly able to think, almost came back to herself at the mention of the slaves. However, the flicker of life vanished as quickly as it came, and she stood as commanded, her eyes once more lifeless.

[wiana]

Salian noticed the flicker in Gianna, and sighed mentally. This girl was proving harder to break than normal. What was she? What was her past? He looked through her memories, trying to find the answer, while also thinking about Gladia's answer. Finally he found what he was looking for. A former slave? Interesting, he thought, dropping the connection.

"I understand why you would say no," he informed Gladia. "And I understand Gianna's protectiveness toward the slaves. If you like, you can keep the slaves, and I'll take Gianna to Galbatorix. I'm sure he'd love to have another rider in his control." Actually, not a bad idea, he thought, half-joking.

[Trinn]

Gladia growled and raised her head threatningly. If he took her back to Gabatorix, it would not go well. He would be furious at her for having ran away from him. How to fight him! she thought frantically. There seemed no possible way, not when he was so close to Gianna. Trying to stall the decision she must make, Gladia asked through the young man, "why does it matter to you if a few slaves are given freedom?" Thinking quickly, Gladia came up with a plan. If she handed over the slaves, and Salian gave Gianna back, then they could just catch up with him later. The plan seemed sensible.

[wiana]

Sal thought of an answer for a moment. "Where will you take them?" he countered. "They will be a burden in most places. I bet you that most of them don't have homes anymore. Besides what will they do? Anyone with sense won't accept them for work force, and you'll all be captured anyway. Just save yourself the hassle and hand them back to me." Now he had to think ahead. If the dragon handed them to him, it could be a trap. His mind worked furiously.

[Trinn]

Gladia narrowed her eyes. This man was very perceptive, and annoying. Behind her, a grumble went up. The slaves didn't like being talked of in such a manner. At that, Gladia had to smile draconically. Through her human mouthpeice, she said, "They don't like being talked about that way. Just because they were slaves, doesn't mean they aren't capable of doing other things besides serving." Gladia quickly spoke to all the slaves.
I have a plan. Unfortunately, part of it revolves around you going peacefully with him. at the words, the slaves eyes darkened. I know, I don't like it either. But would you have a worse fate befall the woman who fought to free you? That took them aback, and they quickly agreed with Gladia. Good

"Allright. The slaves will go back with you." At that, the mass of people marched reluctantly towards Salian. Gladia noticed that most of them held their head high.

[wiana]

Salian suppressed the urge to raise an eyebrow. Instead, he gauged the level of each slave's spirits, noting any rebellion. Then he checked the spirit of the dragon. The purity within it was exactly the opposite of Galbatorix's evil dragon. He wished vaguely to have that purity within himself, but squelched the thought with a growl. Impossible, he reminded himself. Impossible, like how easily this is happening.

As the slaves surrounded him, he pulled Gianna closer to look into her eyes. Ignoring the murmuring from the slaves, he focused on releasing the girl. He reached into her, gathering up his magic away from her spirit. But he left the pain behind. The pain of his childhood. He toyed with leaving the hatred, but he didn't want to scar her that badly. He just wanted to be remembered. The way that he made all the others he'd controlled remember him.

He pulled back from the girl and pushed her toward Gladia. "You can have her," he said, lapsing back into his introverted mode.
Then he took over the slaves and made them march back toward Gil'ead, trying to forget the dragon . . . . with her pure soul.

[Trinn]

Gianna stared into the eyes of the slaver, lost in their depth. The pain was like tourtur. As she stared, thoughts came back to her, and she found herself thinking, what had happened to him? Was he guilty about something he'd done? Before she could put much thought into it, he shoved her towards Gladia. Weak from the pain, and from not using her own controll, Gianna stumbled across the uneven bracken and fell in front of her dragon.

Gladia bent her neck low over Gianna, protecting her. Without further hesitation, she reconnected with her rider, and they were one once more. Gianna took a deep, reviving breath, then shakily got to her feet. My rider, are you allright?

Everything in the woods seemed more vibrant, the trees a brighter green, the earth a richer brown. With her spirit back, Gianna held a greater reverance for life, and freedom. Yet, a deep pain tainted this new outlook, a pain that could not be comforted. I'm fine, for the most part. Gladia reared back her head and snorted. The dragon could feel the pain too.
That man has left his mark on you, just like your master before! At Gladia's words, Gianna's shoulders sagged. It seemed marks played an important part in her life. The mark on her shoulder, the mark on her heart, and now the mark on her spirit. A single tear slid down her cheek. Through the insatiable pain, which she new must have belonged to the man who had controlled her, Gianna felt an odd sense of pity for him. Gladia growled again.
That man is evil! Do not feel pity for such scum! Gianna nodded, then frowned. A gasp escaped her throat.
Gladia what happened while I was out! Why are the slaves going with him! Gladia sent soothing emotions through the bond, calming Gianna as she retold the previous events. Gianna's face set in a fierce frown. "Come on, we're going after them now!"
As I had planned. Leaping onto Gladia's back, Gianna quickly strapped her legs into the saddle. The dark purple dragon crouched, then launched herself skywards, maunevering lithely through the tree limbs until she claimed open sky. With a few quick wing pumps, Gladia reached higher alltitude, where she leveled her flight and flew above the trees until Salian and the slaves came in view.

[wiana]

Salian looked up when he sensed the spirits of Gianna and Gladia coming nearer.(ooc: I love that ability) Just as I expected, he thought. Then he directed the slaves to create a tight circle around him, protecting him from any attack that might come. Next he placed wards around the group, making it nearly impossible for anyone to touch them. Now he waited, the sun streaming down directly on the band.

[Trinn]

Gianna frowned. So, the man was now controlling the slaves. How are we going to get to him, Gladia? He is surrounded by too many people! Gladia flew in tight, swift circles above the close circle of human bodies, trying to find a weak link. There were none.
Hang on. Maybe I can just pick him out of the center. Gianna raised her eyebrows, skeptical.
It's worth a try. Flying in one more circle, Gladia banked sharply to the left, clasping her wings tightly to her side and entering a steep dive. When she drew within a few yards of the group, she struck a sudden barrier. The impact rattled her to the core, sending her sideways wildly. Gianna gritted her teeth and hunched close to Gladia's neck, trying to create a better streamline. After a moment of wild flight, the dragon was able to right herself, and she wasted no time in regaining alltitude. Are you allright!? Gianna asked, the worry evident. Gladia shook her head back and forth, trying to chase away the pain of the collision.
Yes, I will be after a moment. That man has put a ward over the entire group!
Then we'll have to try another tactic. If only she knew what.

[wiana]

OOC: lol. having trouble, trinn?

"You will not reclaim them!" Salian shouted up to the bonded pair. "They are mine!" He thought a second, and changed his tone, coaxing. "Gianna," he said in a low tone. "Gianna, just let them be. They are not your concern. You can not heal the wounds of your past by helping others. Trust me, I know." His carefully straight face broke into a bitter smile. "But it doesn't matter. You can't hurt me now. I've left yet another mark on your pure heart."

[Trinn]

OOC: haha. A little bit.

Confusion replaced Gianna's fierce expression. What was this man trying to say? Then, as he spoke of the marks, of her past, more pain flowed through her body, and she hunched lower in the saddle. Gianna! Do not let him get to you. He is trying to talk you out of releasing the slaves! Gladia's words placed a spark of determination into her being, and Gianna glared down at Salian. Gladia swept down, flying low over the gatherd group. "Your mark is only another reminder of why I must free them. My past matters not, only what I do from what I've learned from it." With a hand, she pointed at Salian. "And what of you? What is your reason for your actions?"

[wiana]

Salian immediately retreated into the safe harbor in his mind where he could analyze any thought without feeling. If you but knew, he thought in this harbor. If you but knew my past. (ooc: lol. I'm not sure I fully understand his past)

This he did not say. He bowed his head as if in deep thought, but he smiled. After a moment he raised his head and gave the pair a sardonic look. "My marks and yours are very similar. We both grew up beaten into submission, and we both found ways to escape that, our ways just happen to be different." Now he smiled. "And, if you don't mind, I will be taking these slaves back to their masters. If you do mind, I can always make you not mind." He bowed mockingly. Inside, his mind churned. Never had he need to do this, and he hated it. Every time he took control over someone, he felt slightly ill. His father had once done something very similar to him, but through human means.

Of course he would never show anyone that part of him. He deepened his smile and bowed again. "May I leave, Princess?"