The Dragons of Ragnos

[Optimas]

Sharm Dreams

Sharm was in a fever state, he lay in a small cot bed in a wooden hut. A hazy graying man changed a dressing on Sharm`s arm and chest but the pain made Sharm black out again before he could talk or fully wake.

Sharm was thrown back into a nightmare dream, a great green force destroying the land, with beast and minion deep and dark like night. Children and women being torn limb from limb and villages being decimated. All the while the men in the towns fought over a crown. Sharm tried to scream but his throat was gone he was a specter watching in horror and he could not wake - he thought he would go mad, and at the last moment - when his sanity wavered most - calmness encompassed his very being. A golden light descended, moving all the dreams away like water colours on and artists easel on a rainy day. In his dream state he turned and his jaw hit the floor. Arganoth Glided towards him in magnificent glory. "Hello Sharm," an angelic voice said. Then the mightiest dragon of all time landed softly on nothing and looked at Sharm and said,"We need to talk, but time is short."

 

[blaster8]

Shargnal burnt. His whole body sizzled as the magic powered through him. He laughed, feeling the energy crackle and spark across the night sky in great streaks of lightening. He was tall and spindly for a goblin about 6 foot, with sharp features and long nose, most noticeably he only had one ear.

Shargnal was the ruler of the Goblin clans of the south, and a vile murderous individual. Many a goblin has died at the end of his poisoned blades before he became adept in the dark arts of the blood magic. He studied long and hard under the watchful eye of the dark orc Boss Grimstone, he found he had a natural link with the dark arts. Soon Shargnal became the most feared leader for 300 years.

When doing a blood letting (a sacrificial blood pool that allows visions of the future to be seen) shargnal saw the desruction of the land by a mighty green army as far as you could see. He led the hoarde astride a most fearsome beast. A giant skeletal dragon bigger than even the mighty Arganoth of the south. Nothing but death followed in the wake of the mighty army.

Sharganal came to his senses and stopped the spell, he relaxed and looked at the giant dragon body that lay before him, why did the spells not work. Arganoth had not died easily he mused, such power does not just peeter out, it burns up, he looked over the camp. The camp had been set by the cave entrance, when they had been tipped off to the location. He had wanted to catch the dragon unaware but did not bank on a troublesome goblin. There was something that annoyed and worried Shargnal greatly about the goblin still being alive, but he could not put his finger on it.

A Giant white wolf padded up to Shargnal and hung his head low - "masterr we lose scent up middle countrrry." The wolf found speech hard, but he could sense his master was displeased.
"You what, I send the pack of seekers and you loose him, where?" Sharganal eyes were ablaze and his black robe fluttered behind him, he spoke a dead language and the wolf howled in pain as one of his eyes turned to a black rock. "Never mind you will pay the price. . . one eye, now tell the others he must be found, or I will skin you all alive, Now go."The wolf turned and skulked away his vision halved and the same with his spirit.

Shargnal breathed deeply, oh how he loved suffering, once he found out the spell that would bring forth the DEMON DRAGON the whole land would be awash with woe. I need to freshen up, I will have a feast and maybe a female or two, he turned and left the dragon carcass stinking in the night breeze and moved deeper into the camp that grew day by day.

(ooc Hope this is ok for every one? If not I can take it out)

OOC:

Sounds pretty good for my character. Magic user vs. magic user. Goblin vs. half-dragon. Should be good. Unless, of course, you have different ideas.

IC:

As Cris continued to push and drill Mirah in swordsmanship, he got an odd feeling, like he needed to do something important.

Giving Mirah a chance to rest after several grueling hours of instruction, he sat down to contemplate and try to understand this odd feeling. It certainly felt like he needed to do something, something that he used to do regularly, hadn't in a long time. That's it! I need to go hunt goblins. It's been awhile since I haunted their lairs, so they have probably started to build up again, and forgotten all about me. When Mirah and Invictus are ready, I'll take them down south to hunt with me. They need the combat experience. In the mean time, Mirah can practice on the highwaymen that lurk in these woods, thought Cris.

 

[Angelus]

"I will show you glory Selangra, on that you have my word. We will destroy every enemy in our path until there are none left. We will hold domain over this land."

Alex stood there with his hand still on Selangra's skin and looked at that burnt form of Samuel laying there with a thought foremost in his head. I have done this, I have killed my friend. He turned and looked at Selangra and all those thoughts flew from his head as he knew that she was more important, she was where his life belonged and he had to break free of his old life.

What do I do with Samuel's body? I can not just leave it here, I don't want to leave him laying there like that.

He turned back to Selangra and instantly knew one thing, she was hurt and hurt badly. He didn't know how he just knew it but he felt it within him, it felt as though her pain was his. He moved towards her head and leaned down to look at her, "Do not worry Selangra. I am here to help you in any way that I can; I will not leave you until you are feeling better. I know that you are hurt now and that you do not trust me but I am here to help."

He turned to look at where Samuel's body lay and it dawned on him, he knew exactly what to do with it. He moved towards it and grabbing it under the arms dragged him in front of Selangra's mouth.

"If you feel hungry then there it something to eat here. I know that it may not be much but it will take some of you hunger from you. I will go out and get things to help you. I think I know where they are. Do not worry, I will be back."

He turned slowly and moved away from where Selangra lay then looked back at her forlornly. He did not want to leave her but he knew that he could not do anything to help her by sitting there and looking at her. He moved out of the cave then walked towards the lake he had seen, grabbing some water in his waterskin although he knew it wasn't enough. It was then that he spotted a herb that he would need and grabbing his small knife started to cut it away with a smile but then stopped and looked at the herb in his hand. How do I know this? How do I know how to heal a dragon when I never seen one until now?

He cut large clumps of the herb away and began to look around lake for anymore, trying to find as many herbs as he could. He moved away from the lake slowly and as he moved up the hill he grabbed some more herbs and looked around. What if I get lost, what will happen to Selangra?

He closed his eyes then and felt her, knowing exactly where Selangra was. With a smile he moved up the hill, trying to find what he needed to help her. It was then that he saw it; a large mountain goat. He drew his small knife and hoped that it would be enough or that he could reach the great thing before it even knew he was there. As he got close it turned and Alex did the first thing that came to his mind, he jumped through the air with a shout.

The goat began to move but Alex was a little quicker and grabbed the fur before stabbing up, feeling the knife blade sink into the goat's throat. It let out a loud scream of pain and tried to throw him off, slamming him to the ground. He let out a grunt of pain but knew that he could not let go and stabbed upwards again and again, feeling the goat's hot sticky blood flow down his arm.

It suddenly dropped and Alex grabbed its hind legs, pulling it slowly back to the cave, towards Selangra who he knew was still very hungry.

As soon as he entered the cave he saw that Samuel's body was gone but thought nothing of it. He moved the ram to one side and cut a leg off it then pulled it back to Selangra. He knew that she was still hungry and hoped that this was enough for her. As he dropped the ram down on the ground he looked at her with a smile.

"I told you that I would not be long."

He moved to where the ram's leg sat and pulled out a flint, grabbed some sticks from his pack and put them down. As soon as the fire was hot enough he pulled out a pot from Samuel's pack, placed it on the fire then poured some water into it. He watched it boil and placed some herbs in, watching as they instantly turned the water red. He stirred the mixture, adding in some more herbs until it turned into a paste.

As he moved towards Selangra he knew where he had to put it on her and looked at her as he moved past, the small pot in his hand.

"I am sorry about this but this will hurt," he said as he put the paste at the base of her wings.

Selangra let out a loud roar which echoed around the cave, she moved her head as if to bite him.

"Eat me all you want but then how are you going to heal?"

He laughed when he heard a low growl come from her throat.

 

[AriesWolf]

OOC: SorrY I have been gone everyone but I had some stuff come up Hope ya didnt miss me too much!

Invictus woke rather suddenly. He heard the metallic ring of sword on sword and it brought him out of his sleepy state in a hurry. His head shot up and he rose to his feet quickly. His wounds barely hurt anymore so long as he didn't shift his wings. Though when he did the pain was rather intense.

He stalked slowly down through the cave, for a dragon when it wants to can move very quietly for it's size, making no more noise than a human moving casually along a dirt road. He approached the noise suspecting the makers would not here him over their own noise.

He saw Mirah sit down looking slightly worn out, a short sword in her hand, and sweat pouring down her brow. The Dragon-Man, Kris he believed, looked rather less tired, though alot more upset.

"Morning Mirah" Invictus said happily trotting into the cavern happily and plunking himself do beside her, lowering his head to her side so that she could scratch the his furrowed brow around his newly growing horn. It was quite itchy and in an awkward spot his large talons to reach. Leaning in close to Mirah Invictus whispered in his best small talk:

"Whats wrong with the dragon man?"

 

[blaster8]

OOC: SorrY I have been gone everyone but I had some stuff come up Hope ya didnt miss me too much!

Invictus woke rather suddenly. He heard the metallic ring of sword on sword and it brought him out of his sleepy state in a hurry. His head shot up and he rose to his feet quickly. His wounds barely hurt anymore so long as he didn't shift his wings. Though when he did the pain was rather intense.

He stalked slowly down through the cave, for a dragon when it wants to can move very quietly for it's size, making no more noise than a human moving casually along a dirt road. He approached the noise suspecting the makers would not here him over their own noise.

He saw Mirah sit down looking slightly worn out, a short sword in her hand, and sweat pouring down her brow. The Dragon-Man, Kris he believed, looked rather less tired, though alot more upset.

"Morning Mirah" Invictus said happily trotting into the cavern happily and plunking himself do beside her, lowering his head to her side so that she could scratch the his furrowed brow around his newly growing horn. It was quite itchy and in an awkward spot his large talons to reach. Leaning in close to Mirah Invictus whispered in his best small talk:

"Whats wrong with the dragon man?"

Cris looked up from his contemplation when he heard Invictus come trotting over. "You sure slept late, young Invictus. It's nearly midday. Mirah and I have been---," Cris said, stopping suddenly, with a surprised look on his face. He had heard his name called, but quickly realized that he hadn't heard it with his ears, but his mind. Shela? Shela, where are you? thought Cris, finding a familiar presence in the back of his mind. He knew immediately that it was Shela, still alive and trying to reach out to him.

He stood up, leaving the training sword on the ground, turned and locked his gaze deep into the cave. "Shela...." he said, more to himself than anyone else, but still loud enough to be heard. With that he started walking, deep into the cave.

OOC:
May I recommend that Mirah and Invictus follow Cris, or at least try to?

 

[EHawkins]

Cris looked up from his contemplation when he heard Invictus come trotting over. "You sure slept late, young Invictus. It's nearly midday. Mirah and I have been---," Cris said, stopping suddenly, with a surprised look on his face. He had heard his name called, but quickly realized that he hadn't heard it with his ears, but his mind. Shela? Shela, where are you? thought Cris, finding a familiar presence in the back of his mind. He knew immediately that it was Shela, still alive and trying to reach out to him.

He stood up, leaving the training sword on the ground, turned and locked his gaze deep into the cave. "Shela...." he said, more to himself than anyone else, but still loud enough to be heard. With that he started walking, deep into the cave.

OOC:
May I recommend that Mirah and Invictus follow Cris, or at least try to?

Mirah sat on the rocks. Every muscle in her body burned from the grueling session that Cris had put her through. Her arms and legs protested any movement at all. She looked at the practice sword in her hand. The movements came easier, flowed better, but somehow, despite Cris’s assessment of what weapons would be best for her to learn, it still felt wrong in her hand. Mirah set aside the practice sword, glad to let it go.

“Invictus,” she smiled, glad to see that the dragon was finally awake. “How are you feeling?”

Mirah reached down and gently scratched around the newly growing horn. There was a low, grumbling purr in Invictus’s throat. She was glad to see that the youngling was feeling a little better.

She looked up to see Cris murmur the name Shela. It was the name of his dragon that he’d been the rider of so long ago.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with him, Invictus….”

Her brow furrowed as she watched the half-dragon walk off into the cave.

“Cris? Cris!”

She got up, despite her aching body, and followed.

 

[Wolfsister]

(( OOC: Please note that the events Angelus and I are going through take place before every one elses... they have a lot to figure out and you guys are going pretty fast. To have a chance against the new riders we need some time. Sorry for the confusion guys ))

She managed to open one eye and watched through a haze of pain as Alex stood for a moment and then dragged the body of the other human towards her snout and told her to eat. She opened both her eyes and regarded the dark haired man. From somewhere distant, somehow, she heard his thoughts.

I have done this, I have killed my friend

When she spoke, the pain made her voice heavy and the sound gravelly, "Are you sure? He was your friend," though the pain of her empty stomach equaled that of the rest of her body, for some reason she needed his confirmation. All he did however was take another long look at his late friend and then shrug slightly, turning to walk away and out of her sight with assurances that he'd be back. She blinked slowly and watched the spot where he had turned from her vision for a moment. She took a delicate sniff of the charred human remains, careful not to move her neck too much, and then opened her great jaws wide. Sam was gone and down her throat in a blink.

Though not completely satisfying, he had taken the edge off her hunger for the moment. Slightly sated, her mind soon began to drift into the pain and her vision blacked out every now and again. She had more glorious dream-visions and a few disturbing ones of a horrific fate and ultimate death.

When next she opened her eyes a tasty looking mountain goat graced her vision. It was down her gullet faster than it took to walk a step. With the remains of Sam in her belly and the almost fully grown mountain goat, she was finally full. Her stomach stopped rumbling and at least one of the pains ceased. Though the others were far greater.

Having fed and slept a little, Selangra was a little more alert now and watched with curiosity as Alex began making some sort of past. When he approached her, she gave a small pout of smoke, having suddenly become nervous. His next words did nothing to settle her.

"I am sorry about this but this will hurt,"

Then he smeared some of the paste onto the base of his wings. She felt a hot sear of pain suddenly run down her spine and despite her stiff neck, she gave into instinct and turned to snap her jaws at him in anger. All he did was easily dodge and laugh. "Eat me all you want but then how are you going to heal?"

In her mind she grudgingly admitted that the human had a point and gave a flare of her nostrils at him. Growling in complaint under her breath she swung her head back to its original position and quietly settled her head on the ground. She snorted a small puff of smoke. She rolled one of her eyes back and glared at him, her voice a slow, deep rumble, "You're lucky I've already eaten," Then she closed her eyes and snorted again. Ready for more of that vile paste.

She endured it with a variety of responses varying from roars to deep grumbles but never once again did she snap at him. She had to heal, right? When it was finally over, she was near exhausted from the pain again but to his credit, it seemed the paste was working. It would be a while yet, but she felt the pain in her wings dull to a throbbing ache.

Just before giving into the need for more sleep, she rumbled softly to him, "You're also lucky you're useful," and with a slight draconic grin, she closed her eyes and accepted the darkness.

 

[Angelus]

He walked slowly around her body, running the paste over the parts of Selangra's body that needed it the most. He knew that to a dragon the wings were the most important so Alex placed the paste on them first, hoping that it would work in some small way to help heal her. As he walked around her Alex looked at all the cuts and other injuries and wished that he could do more for her. All that he wanted was to help her, all that he wanted was to be whole once more no matter how long it took.

He laughed at her little retort but knew with every fiber of his being that she would do nothing to hurt him, he was just as important to her as she was to him. He walked slowly to her head and when he saw that she was now sleeping he smiled then walked to the small fire, throwing more wood onto it. He stood and listened to the crackling as the fire consumed it then felt his stomach rumble. In all the hustle at putting the paste on Selangra to help her to heal he had forgotten to eat anything. He grabbed the leg and without a second thought threw it into the fire; not even worrying about cutting the wool off it, there would be time enough to do that later on.

Alex knew that it would take a while for the leg to cook as it was a good sized one so he walked away from the fire and drew his sword, looking down the length of it to the ground. He knew that it was a fine blade but he also knew that he needed something better, there was another blade out there better for him. Without a second thought he began to cut through the air with the short sword, shaking his head at the length of it. I am used to a longer blade than this, I know that my body is used to it.

He shook that thought away and wondered why he was used to a longer blade, as with healing Selangra these were things that he had never done in his entire life, things that felt so familiar to him. He moved around slowly to his right, cutting with his sword to the left before moving to the other side, sidestepping and parrying a blow from his invisible foe. At that point he wished that he was fighting someone but he knew that would happen soon enough.

He moved around in a circle with a practiced grace and skill he never knew that he had even though his body did. He cut with his sword and parried blows with a flow he knew only sword masters with years of skill and practice could achieve. The sword felt like a part of him, as though it had been in his hand for years although he could count the number of days on one hand.

Alex stopped and looked down at the fire, instantly feeling hungry. He slid the sword back into its sheath before walking to the fire and kicking the leg out of the fire. He stood and waited for a moment or two before walking to it with his knife. As he cut the wool off the leg he caught the smell in the air, feeling even more hungry than before. All that he wanted was some of that meat and as he cut it off he did so with a fervor he did not know he had. He placed some of the meat into his mouth, closing his eyes in satisfaction. It was not the best meat he had ever had in his life but to him it tasted like a banquet.

As he swallowed the meat he looked over at Selangra, smiling as he saw that she was sleeping and hoped that her dreams were more peaceful than his. He did not want to close his eyes at that point as he did not want any of those dreams to invade his head, all that he wanted was a peaceful sleep for once.

Alex turned and walked out of the cave again towards the mountain, he needed more herbs. He knew that what he had wasn't enough. As soon as he walked out into the cold mountain air one thought came to him. I want to be up in the air and very soon We will be.

 

[blaster8]

Mirah sat on the rocks. Every muscle in her body burned from the grueling session that Cris had put her through. Her arms and legs protested any movement at all. She looked at the practice sword in her hand. The movements came easier, flowed better, but somehow, despite Cris’s assessment of what weapons would be best for her to learn, it still felt wrong in her hand. Mirah set aside the practice sword, glad to let it go.

“Invictus,” she smiled, glad to see that the dragon was finally awake. “How are you feeling?”

Mirah reached down and gently scratched around the newly growing horn. There was a low, grumbling purr in Invictus’s throat. She was glad to see that the youngling was feeling a little better.

She looked up to see Cris murmur the name Shela. It was the name of his dragon that he’d been the rider of so long ago.

“I don’t know what’s wrong with him, Invictus….”

Her brow furrowed as she watched the half-dragon walk off into the cave.

“Cris? Cris!”

She got up, despite her aching body, and followed.

OOC:
To Wolfsister: thanks for the explanation. We are indeed moving pretty fast, but I could go faster if the others were online more often (not a complaint, just an estimation).

IC:

Cris heard Mirah call after him, but he paid no heed to it. He walked as one lost in a dream, but with a purpose. He did not wander from his course nor was he oblivious to his surroundings. He knew where he was and where he was going. Knowing that Mirah and Invictus were following him, and realizing that their unspoken questions would be answered at his destination, he picked a path through the cave that would be easy for them to follow.

After half an hour of walking, he stopped in a cavern that was deep in the cave, one that he had not been too in many years. The cavern was well lit with sunlight coming down from the ceiling. He had stopped on a shelf that was half-way up the wall, with the floor of the cavern nearly twenty feet below him. There he stood, waiting for Mirah and Invictus to catch up.

 

[AriesWolf]

When Cris took off down through the cave, Invictus didn't move until Mirah started to follow. He walked behind her, he was only about twelve feet long, which was quite large for his age, but he knew that he would need to carry Mirah on his back at some point and decided that she really did move to slowly.

"Mirah, we need to catch up" he said cheerfully. He was standing behind her and quickly as he could so she could not resist or panic he slipped his head between her legs and lifted up with his powerful neck. So that Mirah slid along his neck and smoothly fell into place on his shoulders. He found that she was very light and barely slowed his at all as he trotted happily after Cris unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

"Comfy Mirah?" he asked as he began to move faster in pursuit of the Dragon man who was now out of sight.

 

[EHawkins]

When Cris took off down through the cave, Invictus didn't move until Mirah started to follow. He walked behind her, he was only about twelve feet long, which was quite large for his age, but he knew that he would need to carry Mirah on his back at some point and decided that she really did move to slowly.

"Mirah, we need to catch up" he said cheerfully. He was standing behind her and quickly as he could so she could not resist or panic he slipped his head between her legs and lifted up with his powerful neck. So that Mirah slid along his neck and smoothly fell into place on his shoulders. He found that she was very light and barely slowed his at all as he trotted happily after Cris unaware of the seriousness of the situation.

"Comfy Mirah?" he asked as he began to move faster in pursuit of the Dragon man who was now out of sight.

Mirah's eyes went wide as she was suddenly lifted, and slid down Invictus' neck. Her feet scrabbled for a place to rest that wouldn't harm his side, and she held on as the young dragon bounded down after Cris.

"Comfy? I'm trying not to hurt you!"

It was awkward to cling to Invictus this way, but she didn't want to worry his wounds. They rounded a cavern corner at at speed that should not have been allowed in such dark and narrowing tunnels, and she clutched at Invictus's neck for dear life.

"Cris!" she called out again.

She saw the half-dragon there, waiting...

 

[blaster8]

Shela is found

Mirah's eyes went wide as she was suddenly lifted, and slid down Invictus' neck. Her feet scrabbled for a place to rest that wouldn't harm his side, and she held on as the young dragon bounded down after Cris.

"Comfy? I'm trying not to hurt you!"

It was awkward to cling to Invictus this way, but she didn't want to worry his wounds. They rounded a cavern corner at at speed that should not have been allowed in such dark and narrowing tunnels, and she clutched at Invictus's neck for dear life.

"Cris!" she called out again.

She saw the half-dragon there, waiting...

Cris heard Mirah call his name but he did not turn, but instead indicated with his hand that both she and Invictus should come foward.

As they approached, he said "I have told you about my dragon, Shela, and I have told you of what she did to heal me, and I have told you that when I woke after that spell I was alone. I have not told you what happened to Shela. Have you not wondered, especially you, young Invictus, where she is? Shouldn't a dragon stay near her rider? All during your stay here in this cave, I have been with you, but you have not seen Shela anywhere. You wonder what happened to her. Did she die? Or did the spell do something to cast her away? Here your questions will be answered."

Turning his head to see that Mirah was close behind him, he pointed towards the center of the cavern. There was a very large formation of white rock. The formaton looked more like a statue than a natural formation, so closely did it resemble a sleeping dragon. The tail of the dragon was wrapped around, with the dragon's head resting on it. From one end to the other, the statue stretched over 30 feet, and rose to height of six feet. If the dragon had been standing, with neck and tail stretched out, it would have stood 12 feet high and 60 feet long.

"That is Shela," stated Cris.

 

[EHawkins]

Cris heard Mirah call his name but he did not turn, but instead indicated with his hand that both she and Invictus should come foward.

As they approached, he said "I have told you about my dragon, Shela, and I have told you of what she did to heal me, and I have told you that when I woke after that spell I was alone. I have not told you what happened to Shela. Have you not wondered, especially you, young Invictus, where she is? Shouldn't a dragon stay near her rider? All during your stay here in this cave, I have been with you, but you have not seen Shela anywhere. You wonder what happened to her. Did she die? Or did the spell do something to cast her away? Here your questions will be answered."

Turning his head to see that Mirah was close behind him, he pointed towards the center of the cavern. There was a very large formation of white rock. The formaton looked more like a statue than a natural formation, so closely did it resemble a sleeping dragon. The tail of the dragon was wrapped around, with the dragon's head resting on it. From one end to the other, the statue stretched over 30 feet, and rose to height of six feet. If the dragon had been standing, with neck and tail stretched out, it would have stood 12 feet high and 60 feet long.

"That is Shela," stated Cris.

Mirah carefully slid off of Invictus' shoulders. She walked over to where Cris was and stared up at the rocky outline of a sleeping dragon. She couldn't fathom how enourmous this creature was. One day, Invictus would be this large, maybe larger...

The thief shook her head. Magic was not something she ever cared to deal with and whatever this was, draconic or otherwise, was beyond her ken.

"I thought she might've... died." she said quietly. "So what do we do? Is she really gone or is she something else?"

 

[blaster8]

Mirah carefully slid off of Invictus' shoulders. She walked over to where Cris was and stared up at the rocky outline of a sleeping dragon. She couldn't fathom how enourmous this creature was. One day, Invictus would be this large, maybe larger...

The thief shook her head. Magic was not something she ever cared to deal with and whatever this was, draconic or otherwise, was beyond her ken.

"I thought she might've... died." she said quietly. "So what do we do? Is she really gone or is she something else?"

"By the light of the full moon, with the blood of a White dragon and the love of her rider, she shall awaken and take to the skies once more. The spell she cast to save my life made me what I am and locked her away in eternal hibernation as stone. The words I have just spoken tell how she can return to the living," replied Cris. "It is currently seven days until the last quarter of the moon. Only by the light of a full moon, can she be revived."

 

[EHawkins]

"By the light of the full moon, with the blood of a White dragon and the love of her rider, she shall awaken and take to the skies once more. The spell she cast to save my life made me what I am and locked her away in eternal hibernation as stone. The words I have just spoken tell how she can return to the living," replied Cris. "It is currently seven days until the last quarter of the moon. Only by the light of a full moon, can she be revived."

Mirah nodded as though she understood what the half-dragon was talking about.

Does that mean she's coming back at the full moon, then? Where the hell is he going to get white dragon's blood?

She looked up at the sleeping stone giant above her and then back at Cris.

"If she's restored, then what happens to you? Do you become a man again?"

 

[blaster8]

Mirah nodded as though she understood what the half-dragon was talking about.

Does that mean she's coming back at the full moon, then? Where the hell is he going to get white dragon's blood?

She looked up at the sleeping stone giant above her and then back at Cris.

"If she's restored, then what happens to you? Do you become a man again?"

"To me? I don't know. This is the first time in the history of the world that such an event has occured. And in case you were wondering, there are no other half-dragons in the world, nor is it possible to become one by any means other than how I became one, so you need not worry about becoming one yourself. It is a gift and a curse to be what I am. I have seen many generations of men go by while I stay the same, hardly aging a day. I have seen kings come and go, and still time has left me untouched. All those whom I loved fell prey to the inevitable march of time, while I have not," replied Cris. "As for finding the blood of a White dragon, I know where to find it without having to kill a dragon for it."

 

[EHawkins]

"To me? I don't know. This is the first time in the history of the world that such an event has occured. And in case you were wondering, there are no other half-dragons in the world, nor is it possible to become one by any means other than how I became one, so you need not worry about becoming one yourself. It is a gift and a curse to be what I am. I have seen many generations of men go by while I stay the same, hardly aging a day. I have seen kings come and go, and still time has left me untouched. All those whom I loved fell prey to the inevitable march of time, while I have not," replied Cris. "As for finding the blood of a White dragon, I know where to find it without having to kill a dragon for it."

"I hadn't worried about that." Mirah said. "I figured this was a fairly uncommon thing. An extreme measure taken at the most desperate of times. I imagine it's cost you to be what you are, no doubt, and that you've gained from it. I can see it in the way you carry yourself, the way you look when you think I'm not watching..."

"But for all you've been through, you've seemed to weather it well. You've turned out to be not as menacing as I thought. Time can make a man grow bitter. Time can make him grow mad..."

She smiled slightly at the idea of having to track down dragon's blood. Particularly blood that they didn't have to kill for.

"Oh yeah?" Mirah said. "And where do we find this blood at?"

 

[blaster8]

"I hadn't worried about that." Mirah said. "I figured this was a fairly uncommon thing. An extreme measure taken at the most desperate of times. I imagine it's cost you to be what you are, no doubt, and that you've gained from it. I can see it in the way you carry yourself, the way you look when you think I'm not watching..."

"But for all you've been through, you've seemed to weather it well. You've turned out to be not as menacing as I thought. Time can make a man grow bitter. Time can make him grow mad..."

She smiled slightly at the idea of having to track down dragon's blood. Particularly blood that they didn't have to kill for.

"Oh yeah?" Mirah said. "And where do we find this blood at?"

Cris gave a little smile at the compliments from Mirah. "Thank you for your words. As for where the blood is at, it is someplace that you cannot go under penalty of a slow and painful death. It is in the Dragon Sanctuary where only Invictus can go. Shela had the gift of foresight, so before she came to these lands to find me, she left some of her own blood behind in the care of the white dragon named Troya," said Cris.

"Like I said, only Invictus can retrieve that blood. You cannot go with him."

OOC: I have to go right now. I'll be back on in about two hours. Have fun. And Aries better get back on because he is missing a lot.

 

[EHawkins]

Cris gave a little smile at the compliments from Mirah. "Thank you for your words. As for where the blood is at, it is someplace that you cannot go under penalty of a slow and painful death. It is in the Dragon Sanctuary where only Invictus can go. Shela had the gift of foresight, so before she came to these lands to find me, she left some of her own blood behind in the care of the white dragon named Troya," said Cris.

"Like I said, only Invictus can retrieve that blood. You cannot go with him."

OOC: I have to go right now. I'll be back on in about two hours. Have fun. And Aries better get back on because he is missing a lot.

Mirah looked at Cris, annoyed.

"Are you kidding me?" she said. "I... he just found me! And besides, I don't think he's going to want to go without me."

She stood there for a moment with a hard expression on her face. If she could convince Invictus to go, how long would it take? What would she do in the mean time? She really couldn't go back to Red Hook now, could she?

 

[blaster8]

Cris understood Mirah's annoyance at his announcement. He hadn't been allowed to go to the Sanctuary with Shela, either, but it was necessary. While he didn't have an experienced dragon/rider pair teaching him at the time, an older dragon had explained that part of draconic law to him. The rest of draconic law he had learned from Argonath via Shela and from the memories that Shela has been sharing with him recently.

"I know it sounds outrageous that you can't go to the Sanctuary with Invictus, but that is draconic law. No creature that was not born in the Sanctuary may enter under penalty of death. If you go with Invictus to the Sanctuary, he faces banishment in the least, death at the worst. You simply get a slow and painful death. Invictus will be forced to watch as punishment, and then he will either be banished or chained up in a cave until he withers and dies," explained Cris.

"I can't go myself because I was not born in the Sanctuary, and my death would be even slower and more painful than your own because I'm half dragon. Invictus is the only one here who can go. Besides, he won't be able to fly for another week, and by then it will be the last quarter of the moon. He will have until the next full moon to return. Between now and the time he leaves, the two of you are welcome to deepen your bond. In fact, that is part of your training," Cris said.

"Now that I think of it, let's have a look at Invictus's wound." Cris moved over to Invictus and gently peeled away the rags covering the wound. He inspected it closely, running his hands over the wound lightly. Again, as before in the building, something glinted on the back of his hands, but it wasn't jewlery. "The wound seems to be healing faster than I thought. I now estimate about 3 days before he can fly again. Let's go back to the lake and I can show you how to treat such a wound," said Cris. Taking one last look back at Shela, he turned and led the way back to the lake where Mirah and Invictus had slept the night before.

 

[EHawkins]

Cris understood Mirah's annoyance at his announcement. He hadn't been allowed to go to the Sanctuary with Shela, either, but it was necessary. While he didn't have an experienced dragon/rider pair teaching him at the time, an older dragon had explained that part of draconic law to him. The rest of draconic law he had learned from Argonath via Shela and from the memories that Shela has been sharing with him recently.

"I know it sounds outrageous that you can't go to the Sanctuary with Invictus, but that is draconic law. No creature that was not born in the Sanctuary may enter under penalty of death. If you go with Invictus to the Sanctuary, he faces banishment in the least, death at the worst. You simply get a slow and painful death. Invictus will be forced to watch as punishment, and then he will either be banished or chained up in a cave until he withers and dies," explained Cris.

"I can't go myself because I was not born in the Sanctuary, and my death would be even slower and more painful than your own because I'm half dragon. Invictus is the only one here who can go. Besides, he won't be able to fly for another week, and by then it will be the last quarter of the moon. He will have until the next full moon to return. Between now and the time he leaves, the two of you are welcome to deepen your bond. In fact, that is part of your training," Cris said.

"Now that I think of it, let's have a look at Invictus's wound." Cris moved over to Invictus and gently peeled away the rags covering the wound. He inspected it closely, running his hands over the wound lightly. Again, as before in the building, something glinted on the back of his hands, but it wasn't jewlery. "The wound seems to be healing faster than I thought. I now estimate about 3 days before he can fly again. Let's go back to the lake and I can show you how to treat such a wound," said Cris. Taking one last look back at Shela, he turned and led the way back to the lake where Mirah and Invictus had slept the night before.

"Outrageous?" Mirah said as she followed Cris back. "Hell... for all the big deal that's made out of the bond between a dragon and his rider, it doesn't seem natural to split them up like that."

She settled in next to the half-dragon and helped him tend to Invictus's wounds. They really did seem to be getting better faster, and she didn't feel so bad now about riding on his shoulders earlier. Cris showed her how to bind the wound with a paste and what herbs to mix to make it. It bothered her that this draconic law would have such a harsh penalty for something that seemed so minor. She certainly wouldn't condemn herself to death and she wouldn't let Invictus face such a thing either...

When Mirah was done she sat back, tired. She wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, and sighed. Outside, she heard the sound of night and she hadn't realized how much time had passed. She patted Invictus on the head, and let him sleep.

Nearby, the practice sword lay against the rock that she'd sat on earlier. she picked it up, and frowned.

"It... doesn't feel right in my hand." she mused. "At all."

 

[blaster8]

"Outrageous?" Mirah said as she followed Cris back. "Hell... for all the big deal that's made out of the bond between a dragon and his rider, it doesn't seem natural to split them up like that."

She settled in next to the half-dragon and helped him tend to Invictus's wounds. They really did seem to be getting better faster, and she didn't feel so bad now about riding on his shoulders earlier. Cris showed her how to bind the wound with a paste and what herbs to mix to make it.

When Mirah was done she sat back, tired. She wiped the sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, and sighed. Outside, she heard the sound of night and she hadn't realized how much time had passed. She patted Invictus on the head, and let him sleep.

Nearby, the practice sword lay against the rock that she'd sat on earlier. she picked it up, and frowned.

"It... doesn't feel right in my hand." she mused. "At all."

"Doesn't feel right? What do you mean?" asked Cris upon hearing Mirah. "What weapon do you think would feel right?"

 

[EHawkins]

"Doesn't feel right? What do you mean?" asked Cris upon hearing Mirah. "What weapon do you think would feel right?"

"I don't..."

Mirah's frown deepened with her frustration as she tried to find the words to explain. She took the practice sword and started to draw something in the dirt.

"I don't know it's name."

When she was finished, she had drawn a long pole and at it's end there three long, wicked sharp and barbed points. Mirah stared at it for a moment, almost as if mesmerized.

 

[blaster8]

"I don't..."

Mirah's frown deepened with her frustration as she tried to find the words to explain. She took the practice sword and started to draw something in the dirt.

"I don't know it's name."

When she was finished, she had drawn a long pole and at it's end there three long, wicked sharp and barbed points. Mirah stared at it for a moment, almost as if mesmerized.

Cris watched Mirah draw something in the dirt of the cave. When she was done, he looked closely at it.

"A trident? Interesting. Very interesting. Similar to a spear, but with three points and not meant to be thrown. Spears and tridents aren't really meant to be used in close combat, unless you are riding a horse, or in your case, a dragon," observed Cris. "I don't happen to have a trident hidden away in my armory, mainly because they are fairly rare weapons. But I am sure we could find one eventually. Tell me, why do you think that this weapon is meant for you?"

 

[EHawkins]

Cris watched Mirah draw something in the dirt of the cave. When she was done, he looked closely at it.

"A trident? Interesting. Very interesting. Similar to a spear, but with three points and not meant to be thrown. Spears and tridents aren't really meant to be used in close combat, unless you are riding a horse, or in your case, a dragon," observed Cris. "I don't happen to have a trident hidden away in my armory, mainly because they are fairly rare weapons. But I am sure we could find one eventually. Tell me, why do you think that this weapon is meant for you?"

Something cold crawled up Mirah's spine at the mention of 'trident', and suddenly the cavern was too small. She felt like she was surrounded by a crush of bodies that she couldn't see, yet dark, vaguely people-shaped figures flickered on the wall.

One of us... something whispered in Mirah's ear.

A chilled touch gripped her shoulder. She let out a tiny gasp, and they were gone...

"Rare?" Mirah finally managed. "The first night Invictus and I stayed here, I dreamed that I was astride him and we were fighting, I think. I was holding that--holding the trident..."