Dragons of Gralfor

[Angelus]

Cherise's answer flowed around in his head as Alezal flew through the air. He wanted to answer that but there was only one thing he had on his mind. He was just hoping more than anything that they were not going to be too late. He wished that he could make the others go faster but knew that he could not always get everything he wanted; if he could then they would have been in Kergal a lot sooner. He looked over at the others, making sure they were with him before he leaned forward and asked Anoth if he could go faster.

Without an answer Alezal felt the wind flying into his face and let a smile come to his face. He leaned forward in the saddle and wished that there was something more he could do, wished that he could bring an army to bear against the walls of Kergal, not just the four that were with him. He knew that such thoughts were foolish, that he would take the four that flew with him over any army but still those thoughts stayed with him. He knew that when they came upon the city that every knight would be putting the people in the city in danger, especially when they began to rain fire and destruction down on it. He knew they did not have a choice though, as much as he hated to admit it.

With a sigh he sat up straighter in his saddle, Sometimes I really hate the responsibility of being a Knight. Everyone in Kergal is relying on us to do the right thing and we could end up killing them all just to free it from the clutches of the orcs.
I wish that I could give you some comfort my friend. I wish that I could tell you that it will not happen, that the orcs will leave peacefully and without a fight but I have never lied to you and I will not start now.
Alezal just let out another sigh, I really do hate this.

 

[Wolfsister]

Aringial and Malyn

Aringial sat beside him under the leafy canopy and nodded thoughtfully. Malyn had developed some abilities that were even now unaccessible by Elders and she completely trusted him. It did not mean that she had to like what he had to say though.

Ari sighed and took a little look at Skie. He was an impressive beast; intelligent, powerful and of a world unto himself. But he shared a bond with her once lover. Malyn had changed a great deal since the Working had been done - sometimes she wasn't sure if it was for the best. "I have also seen humans risk their lives to defend other humans." She paused, and added in her head that most of those times they were likely defending themselves from their own kind. She decided not to voice that thought aloud.

"Malyn, I don't profess to know what its like to have Skie at your side... but... " she frowned, biting her lip, not sure how to go on. "But... have you seen anything about - about the Forbidden Ones?" The change of subject was marked, but she would not voice what she had been about to say. "Some Seers are restless - and I've worked out some of what they say. I think... I think the Forbidden Ones are going to come back."

 

[Bladesman]

Malyn turned away from Arin and looked at Skie as Skie retured to the clearing and landed, his eyes tortured and asking Skie a question. Skie looked a bit perplexed then inclined his great head slightly to agree that it was necessary. After a few moments Malyn turned back to Arin, the look on his face a tortured look. He nodded slowly to her.

"Yes Arin, the Dark ones will return. In the years to come there will be more rumors of their sightings along our borders. They will come for what they claim is their land and their place in the world. They have forgotten though, it was they who chose to live in the Underdark in the age before this. There will be a great war between us and them in which both sides will take great losses."

He stopped talking for a moment, turning away from her again. Skie knew what else he had seen and what he hid away from her deep within his heart, the burden of which Skie helped him bear. He had seen Arin's death in the not so distant future and it bothered him, especially when he knew he wouldn't be able to get to her in time to save her. The future was unable to be changed as the elves had found out many ages before.

 

[Wolfsister]

Arin and Malyn

Aringial took his words silently, her eyes growing wider by the second as he related what he knew. She twisted her hands in her lap and her eyes grew darker. Small creases formed in her brow as she frowned, "Do you know what will happen? Do you know when?" she asked in a small voice.

Though the future was often left to interpretation, there were some things that could not be changed or hoped for. If neither Skie, Malyn or the Seers had foreseen exactly who would die, there was hope. Or even how many. There could be hope in the future that some of their race would survive, that there would be someone to continue the Elven way of life.

Looking up into the far distant canopy of trees, Aringial sighed. "Malyn..." she attempted to tell him of her silent fears, of her worries and her thoughts. She wanted to tell him so much - and she couldn't understand the urgency she felt within herself to tell him these things. But when she opened her mouth, nothing emerged and it was a simple sigh that followed his name.

Staring deep into his eyes when she caught his gaze, she willed her thoughts to him - though she would never let him see the torrent within herself.

 

[Bladesman]

"No, my visions do not allow to see in depth to such a detail." He omited the full truth of the fact that his visions on occasion allowed him such glimpses. Especially when he had seen her death predicted in the visions. "Our race will survive, of that both I and the Seer's are certain. Even the queen who has on occasion has had visions of the future is certain of this fact."

"Malyn..."

He turned to look at her, their eyes connecting and allowing him to see her thoughts. He nodded to himself as he saw what he had guessed were her thoughts and worries. He reached towards her and ran his thumb slowly down the side of her face, brushing her raven hair back from her face. Then he did something that he had not done since he had been bonded to Skie. He leaned in and kissed her deeply as he pulled her against him.

 

[Jedi_Khan]

Atherron

Atherron had not made it very far when he saw both Cherise and Alezal fly by overhead at high speed, heading for Kergal; a short while later, he looked up to see Ari going by at a much more sedate pace than the other two. Then he heard her voice in his head.

"I know it’s not been long, but how do you fare my friend? We are just beginning to move now, ourselves. It seems Alezal's decided to get us there quickly, though I don't know the wisdom of that."

To be honest, I find it rather strange that with all this urgency to get to Kergal, I’m riding a horse, replied Atherron. Other than that, I’m doing well enough, Ari. I wouldn’t worry about Alezal’s decision to get there quickly; the whole idea is for the four of you to get to Kergal before I do to ensure that you have the orc’s undivided attention.

In fact, continued Atherron after a moment’s pause. It might be better that you arrived after the other two, then Amber after you, and finally Shela after Amber. If the orc leader is paying attention to the number of dragons he’s facing, and he knows how many of us there are, he might figure that our arrival was a hasty, poorly thought out response to his taking of Kergal. He’ll get complacent, might make a mistake or two, which we could then use to our advantage. Your thoughts?

Atherron wasn’t sure, but he figured that he had at least another half hour at the speed he was going at before he reached Kergal. At the speed Cherise and Alezal were going at, they’d reach Kergal in about five minutes, while Ari, Amber and Shela would arrive a few minutes before Atherron did. It would make for a very convincing charade of a hasty, poorly planned response if the timing didn’t seem too regular between the arrivals of the various dragons. The only problem was Atherron was thinking like a human, they were facing orcs; potentially two very different thinking methodologies.

 

[Wolfsister]

Arianna paused to think for a little while, going over Atherron's suggestion in her mind. She pursed her lips and tapped her leg as the wind rushed by her face, streaming her hair behind her. Her bun had been knocked loose ages ago and she had never bothered to put it up again.

I see what you mean. We can never underestimate the intelligence of our foes, even if our foes are orcs. They have to be Chiefs for some reason or another. I'll let the others know and get in sync with Amber and Shela.

Then she broke off contact with Atherron and went on to discuss the plan with Amber and Shela. It was a short discussion, they both agreed with what Atherron had said - Shela grumbling a little bit about him not bothering to contact her in person - but otherwise in unison with each other.

Alezal - she went on to explain what it was that they were going to do, this time she overrode any objections he may have had and Amber and Shela backed her up. The brief joy she felt in making a decision by herself (even if it had been proffered up by Atherron) was short lived as the city came into view.

Alezal and Cherise each broke off, instantly dealing damage, while Ari, Amber and Shela held off a few moments longer.

When she judged enough time had elapsed, she tapped Rhea on the neck and they swooped down, reining deadly fire onto the running hordes below. A few minutes longer and Amber was joining her, summoning arrows to reign down on the orcs as well.

Shela joined not long after and added to the general confusion.

The Battle for Kergal had begun.

 

[Angelus]

I think that the time for talk is over my dear friend, Alezal thought out before he sent Anoth down into a dive and sent out a blast of fire. He felt the wave of heat as the fire smashed into the wall in front of him, washed across it. He heard the screams of the orcs as they fell from the wall and to the ground then raised into the sky. He heard and felt Anoth take a deep breath before he looked down to see several orcs raise bows in their hands. At the last moment he shouted out a word in draconic and watched as the arrows stopped in mid air. He pushed at the arrows as they hung there and sent them falling to the ground.

What do you want to do now? he asked Anoth.
Why do you ask a question to an answer you already know. I want to kill as many orcs as I can.

Anoth turned in the air and as Alezal watched his wings change to a dark red he knew there was nothing he needed to say. With a blast of heat he watched the silvery red flame fly from his mouth and blasted several more orcs from another part of the wall. He watched as the wall began to glow as the heat blasted it and several more orcs screamed out in pain then exploded in a spectacular blast. Alezal's eyes widened when it happened and he turned Anoth in the air for another pass.

As he did he closed his eyes, let the power build up in him and screamed out several words in draconic and elvish. He watched as a second version of himself and Anoth appeared in the air near them. As he flew towards the city he sent out a mental instruction towards his "twin" and watched as it flew around towards another section of the wall.

 

[Kalika84]

Cherise let out a battle cry at the same time as Shar roared down at the orcs scurrying below them. From the corner of her eye she could see Alezal and Anoth raining destruction up Kergal below them.

Now Shar! Let us show these spineless orcs what suffering means! Cherise closed her eyes and spread her arms aout at her sides while Shar flew into a flanking position. Black and purple sparks began to swirl and coalesce around her hands as she muttered fast and precise in draconic, arcs of black lightning zinging back and forth between her fingertips amassing into a seething writhing ball of darkness. With a cry she let it loose where it flew over Shar's head out over Kergal before splitting into hundreds of separate shards and arrowing towards the earth where it impaled the orcs scurrying below, hitting one then arcing to another and another.

Shar drew her head back and let loose a jet of flame infront of the city, infront of the walls and big double gates and bridges that would allow anybody exit from their side of the city. Cherise sent a though to Atherron, Atherron my friend, do not let the citizens try to exit from the east side. Shar has laid flame down to block the orcs escape from that side of the city.

Murmuring another quick spell she imbued the walls and stones of the city with her will. Should any orc rest upon stone it would explode fatally killing the offending touch. It however would not react to anything but orc, the citizens would be safe from the magick.

Looking over to check on Alezal she saw him produce a mirror image of himself and Anoth and grinned at the splendid idea. Looking to where she knew the others would approach she continued to rain destruction below while Shar breathed death upon the orcs. She wondered what the others would bring to the party.

 

[Angelus]

Alezal looked down at the city that sprawled beneath him and knew that he could not keep doing this. If he did then he would be causing too much destruction and would end up killing all the people they had come to save. He sat back up in his saddle, ran his hand over the shaft of Judgment and said, We cannot keep doing this.
What do you mean? If we do not attack the city there is no way we will be able to drive the orcs out of there.
That isn't what I mean. I mean that we cannot continue to fly over the city and destroy it from above. We will be endangering far too many people that way. I have to get down there and see if I can fight them on the ground.
I won't let you do it Alezal. You will be hopelessly outnumbered down there. You will be killed.
But I can't let it happen like this.

Suddenly a swarm of arrows flew towards them and Alezal looked down with narrowed eyes before Anoth twisted in the air with a roar and let out a breath of fire with slammed into a patch of ground, sending orcs and dirt flying high into the air. Alezal watched as several of the orcs ran screaming but he knew there was nothing he could do for them.

Please my friend; find a place to land as close to the city as you can. That way I can sneak in or at least try and kill as many archers as I can before they get to you.

With a noise of reluctance Anoth turned in the air as Alezal trying to find a place for them to land.