Empire War Games.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh sighed as he strapped Zar'oc to his waist. He was wearing his usual full steel armor. He and Thorn were now stationed at the new Dragon Barracks. They had arrived early yesterday morning. Rocore would be on his way with the senior Riders to attack soon. He had not told the young trainee dragon riders under his command about the war games.

Galbatorix would not be pleased if he did. Rocore would be disguised as Eragon and his dragon as Saphira. The other senior riders would be likewise disguised as Varden. If he told the trainee's the point of this would be compromised.

He had spent most of yesterday trying to train the new riders as much as he could. In both physical combat and evasion. It wasn't much but he had, had only 24 hours.

He wasn't about to get caught into this fight without being fully armored and armed though. To hide the reason why, he had instructed the trainee's to meet him early for some more practice. Fighting in armor restricted movement a bit and it was heavy, he told them they needed to learn to fight in full armor should they ever need to.

Murtagh grabbed his helmet from the table in his room and walked out of his quarters. His red cape billowed behind him. His quarters were similar to those the trainee's stayed in, accept for the fact that his was designated for high ranking riders or commanders.

Thorn had been waiting for him on top of their quarters. His claws scraped against the roof tiles. He made eye contact with Murtagh before he took off to follow his rider from the air.

Murtagh made his way to the training arena where the trainee's had practiced the day before. Well this will be interesting, he said to Thorn.

Indeed. The odds are against us as it is. Senior riders vs trainees, Thorn said as he landed at the edge of the training arena.

Don't remind me, Murtagh said. I suppose it amuses Galbatorix. This isn't going to be easy. It's the inexperience of the trainee riders I'm worried about.

Then may good fortune be with us today, Thorn said. Murtagh had moved to his side now as he waited for the trainee's to arrive for more training and indirectly for the battle that would soon take place.

[Kathena]

Lyrian sat on the sadle on Sythlern's back, looking out over to horizen. "Should we go explore?" The human asked as he stared, dazed, at the city below them. His mind began to go off into a day dream, but Sythlern's chuckle brought him back to real life.

How strange! I never knew you would prefer to skip training and explore! Havn't we been through every bit of this city many times? Sythlern asked, his sharp blue eyes looking at the training center below.

Lyrian sighed deeply. He had completely forgotten about training! Today he was suppose to team up with the other trainee riders and fight the senior riders. He loved battle, but he hated the idea of having to try and fight another Empire rider. He leaned forward and patted Sythlern's neck. "At least I managed to learn one spell, right?" He asked his dragon. The former peasant waited for a reply, but their was no answer. The truth was, Lyrian was terrible with magic. The only weapons he had were his sword and fire. Yes, fire. At least the only spell he knew was to summon fire. If it wasn't he would probably not survive this battle.

If you don't make a decision now, I'll choice for you. Sythlern's voice rumbled in his rider's head. The dragon was tempted to look back at Lyrian's face for his rider hated to be interupted during his thinking, but he didn't wish to make Lyrian anymore angry. Lyrian seemed to get angry all too easily.

"Yes, fine. Head down to training I suppose." Lyrian responded as he tighted his grip on Sythlern's sadle. He felt the sadle shift on the silver dragon's back as he chuckled.

Sure thing. Tell me if you change your mind. Sythlern replied. Then the silver dragon circled the training area one more time before slowly diving downwards.

Lyrian snortted as he held on. He knew that Sythlern would not change paths, even if Lyrian didn't want to go to training. His scaled friend was dead set on following the King's orders, as was he.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh watched as a silver dragon and his rider landed. Lyrian and Sythlern. The sight of them made him nervous for the coming battle. How were they supposed to defeat the senior riders with only novices. Thorn and he were the strongest here, but even they were going to be tested in a different manner. Handling an aerial command.

He waited for a moment before shouting, "Thyrsta!" The spell was simply to shove both rider and dragon back. He wanted to test their readiness. Sure it wasn't exactly nice to tell them to come for training and attack them as soon as they landed, but then again it was a perfect chance to test them when they least expected it. The senior riders would be here any time though so he wouldn't drag this out or tire them.

[Rhaxta]

((Just a reminder that none of the junior/trainee riders and dragons know about the senior ones coming to attack, they will be disguised as Varden))

Vulnar was stirred from his state of slumped unrest by a gust of wind across Freki's withers. The great, chromatic scales of her back tumbled against each other with a sound like chain mail as she weaved and twisted in the gales; pivoting on her great wings to keep herself aloft and stable. She had been hovering for some time, many miles above the training grounds in the wilderness around Uru^baen.

They had been watching, and Vulnar had dosed as Freki entertained herself by measuring her endurance. They had been told to keep out of direct combat for this mission:- their orders were to merely observe. Freki had been so outraged that Vulnar's own anger immediately wilted under her ferocity. She had come around to the idea only after he had explained it was a position of power in it's own right; and later on if she decided to haul in and have a bit of fun..- well, they were the ones reporting back to Galbatorix about this farce, weren't they?

Vulnar secretly hoped Freki would see sense and avoid direct combat: the creature had an inherent skill in getting herself and Vulnar into trouble. Yet he knew his prayers would go unanswered. Completely against his character; he was being a pushover - for a female!

He muttered and shoved his massive gloved hands into his jerkin and under his armpits. He wriggled in the saddle to get full movement back and as he did he caught a glimpse over the side.

''Gods above! Freki! Going lower might be a bit good!''[/color] A brown eyebrow twitched above an amber eye at his own tumbling English - they were so high he was feeling rather clumsy in every sense of the word.

The great she-dragon writhed around to glimpse back at her rider.
'Oops, you are a bit blue..'[/i]
Vulnar stifled a curse, else she keep her there longer as a punishment for rudeness.

The world shifted forwards and began to stream past.

Clouds hitched onto black claws and wing and trailed behind the streaming lizard like a cloak of mist. Vulnar mentally prodded Freki into leveling off, the speed of their descent stealing away his voice and what felt like his mind.

Freki gave a slight bugle and gently flattened out; she at least knew when to stop baiting him.
'It is that vein in your forehead,'[/i] mused Freki, (mostly to herself as she knew her rider would take a moment to recover after the swift descent). 'It starts to look like an angry worm caught in a tube of cattle gut, then I know you don't want to play anymore.''[/i] With the last utterance, Freki really worked with her ability to make Vulnar feel guilty - or at least feel slightly ashamed - with the tone of her voice.

Vulnar simply snorted and gave her a gentle pat on the bit of shoulder he could reach; he wasn't really up for a debate - playful or otherwise. Freki seemed sated and took to circling - still high above the encampment - like a bird of prey.

Looking down at the right moment, Vulnar spotted - and sensed - Murtagh using a force of magic against one of the trainees that had just arrived. Vulnar chuckled; he had been a military man for nearly twenty years - ten years before that he still lived and breathed a soldier's life under the tyrannical rule of his father.

He liked the boy's style - he certainly had the air of a leader about him.

A subtle change in Freki's movements brought Vulnar's attention to the distant horizon.

''They approach,'[/i] squeaked Freki.

[Kathena]

Lyrian began to losen his grip on Sythlern's saddle as they were both shoved backwards. Lyrian clutched the dragon's saddle tightly slightly shocken from the spell. Then the blonde haired rider glanced around and spotted Murtagh. He guessed it would have made since for Murtagh to test them before training that day, what ever it may be, but he grumbled anyway as he slid off Sythlern's back. Then silver dragon seemed just as stunned as his rider, but he let out a low chuckle anyway.

What is it? Lyrian snapped the questioned at his dragon. He wasn't in the mood to get teased by Sythlern, so he just replied angrily in his head. Sythlern's blue eyes gleamed as he grinned. You were completely terrified in your thoughts. The dragon replied with a cheerful snort.

"Oh, shut up," Lryian muttered just loud enough for Sythlern to hear. The Empire rider walked over to Murtagh with a grumpy expression on his face. Sythlern let out a deep sigh before slowly following him.

[Emiryal ♕]

One part of this training exercise that Murtagh didn't like was the suspense. He wanted to climb onto Thorn and ready the younger riders for the war game that would surely happen soon. However, he couldn't let them suspect anything and the idea was to have them taken by surprise.

He frowned when Lyrian nor Sythlern responded to his attack. He had expected them to defend themselves more than that, and perhaps even return fire. Thorn brushed his mind. A rapid but brief conversation ensued in which Murtagh decided the lack of response was either due to inexperience or the fact that he was their commanding leader right now. Attacking your leader wasn't that good of an idea.

Murtagh raised an eye brow in a questioning look when Lryian walked towards him grumpy with Sythlern following. Well this would be interesting in the very least. This is never going to work, he grumbled to Thorn referring to the war games.

Calm down little one. Give them a chance to prove themselves in the face of danger, their true colors will only show then, Thorn said. The large ruby dragon watched the young rider and dragon approach with an almost indifferent gaze.

Murtagh knew better than to trust appearances when it cam to Thorn. The dragon could be quite emotionally complicated, and even he didn't understand him fully. "You both failed my test," he said more harshly than he had meant to. "You did not defend yourselves. The test was self defense. You must ALWAYS be on guard." This was a lesson that had been ingrained into every living cell in Murtagh's body. Countless attempts on his life and surprise attacks had taught him that.

"Defend yourselves," he ordered before shouting. "Malthinae!" Again the spell would not do them harm. It would only bind them and prevent them from moving at all. The spell was directed at both rider and dragon. As dragon's had incredible strength it was hard to bind them with a spell like this, there were few who had enough power to do so and Murtagh was one of them. Murtagh wanted them to resist his spell, he wanted them to fight back. However, he had directed the spell not to bind them fully, he would leave them with the ability to speak. In other words he would allow Lryian to combat him with a counter spell and Sythlern with fire should he choose to do so.

[Kathena]

Lryian

As Lryian approached Murtagh, he noticed the grim look on the rider's face. Great, another thing he did wrong. Lryian hadn't been having a good day and this wasn't going to make it any better. The blonde haired rider stopped in front of Murtagh and listened to him scowled them for not reacting, but that didn't help Lryian's mood. If anything, it made him even more grumpy and angry then before. 

It took Lryian everything he had not to grumble when Murtagh told them to be on guard,he knew this because the rider told him just about everyday. With his eyes filled with anger, he looked at the rider.

It will be fine Lryian. Just focus on your training and nothing will go wrong. This will be fun, don't ruin it with a bad attitude. Cheer up, please? Sythlern said to him. Lryian turned his head to look at Sythlern and nodded. The dragon was right, he should calm down. He realized his shoulder and sighed deeply before turning Murtagh.

When Murtagh said defend yourselves, Lryian didn't hesitate this time. As soon as he heard the spell he responded with the first thing that had come to his mind, "Skoliro!" The spell was meant to shield him and Sythlern from the binding spell. 

Sythlern

Sythlern was surprised to see that his rider reacted so quickly. Lryian was usually not that prepared, but Sythlern could tell why by his rider's thoughts. Lryian was tired of being scowled and wanted to do something right for once. At least that was a good thing.

As Lryian said the spell, Sythlern let out a mouthful of blazing white flames in the same direction the spell had came from. He didn't want to miss out on the fun. 

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh let his spell contend with Lyrian's defense spell and testing Lyrian's endurance. Sythlern's fire, soon changed his plans though. He lost concentration on his spell as a blaze of white flames erupted from the other dragon. He lifted one arm as if to ward off the flames before he said, "Skölir nosu fra brisingr!" Casting the spell only just in time, the flames licked around him and Thorn but did not harm them.

"Not bat, not bad at all you two. Your work well as one," he complimented. "Let us continue."

He was about to cast Thrysta vindr, when Thorn stopped him. We must not tire them before the real fight. Not all are as strong as you in magic, the crimson dragon said. Murtagh drew Zar'roc from it's sheath. The red blade gleamed in the dawn light. "We will continue with swords," he declared. "Use magic at your digression, but do not tire yourself out with it."

Placing two fingers on the red blade he said, "Gëuloth du knífr." And created the dull protective barrier. He wasn't going to cut them to pieces in training. He waited to see if Lryian would follow his lead before he dashed forward to strike at the man's side.


While Murtagh had prepared his blade Thorn reached out to Sythlern. "To the skies young one," he instructed and sent an image of them in aerial combat. With that Thorn spread his wings and rose into the sky. he would let Sythlern make the first move.

[Kathena]

Sythlen listened as Murtagh complemented them, and glanced down at Lyrian. The young rider seemed happy about that, but he didn't show it on the outside. He watched as Murtagh withdrew his sword, and queasy feeling grew in the dragon's stomach. He ha never seen anyone beat Murtagh, let alone get get away without a wound.

If you need any of my energy, young one, just ask. Sythlern told his rider, but Lyrian just looked up at him with uncertainy as he withdrew his rider sword. It had engraving in the handle and the silver blade had a deep blue trimming.

Then Thorn began to speak and Sythlern turned his head towards his the large crimson dragon. He nodded before breifly glancing at Lyrian. The blonde haired rider just smiled faintly.

It's ok, Sythlern. It looks like you have something to do with Thorn, I'll be fine down here. Lyrian replied in thought. Sythlern thought his rider looked very unsure of what he was saying, but he had learned not to argue with him. Lyrian was super stubborn when he wanted to be.

Sythlern nodded his large head as he spread his leathery wings. The silver dragon beat his wings and took off into the sky. He flew until he was level with Thorn and then he looked at the large red dragon. He seemed to be waiting, which meant he wanted Sythlern to make the first move. The silver dragon nodded before breathing a mouthful of large white flames in Thorn's direction.

Lyrian looked at the blade of his sword. He stared at it for a few moments before returning his gaze to Murtagh and preparing himself for the Empire rider's first strike.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh was aware that Lyrian had not cast a protective spell on his sword like he had done. Maybe he didn't know how. But well they could go over that later. He doubted Lyrian would be able to harm him anyways. Few could match him in swordsmanship. As long as Zar'roc was dulled by the spell at least he wouldn't chop Lyrian to bits with it.He waited until Lyrian was ready before he made any move. No, the Varden would no be so lenient but this was training and you had to start somewhere. He swung Zar'roc in an arc as if tested the grip of the blade he knew so well, before he advanced on Lyrian and swung the blood red sword at the young rider's side.


When Sythlern breathed a mouthful of flames in his direction, Thorn made no move to avoid it but instead meet it with his own flames. Red flames licked against white between them. Thorn let his fire last for some time, he was older and would be able to sustain his flame longer than the younger dragon. His attack was to wait until Slythlern's flames died.

[Kathena]

Sythlern continued to breath the whtie flames in Thorn's direction, but watched as all the crismon dragon did was block Sythlern's fire with his own. The silver dragon was confused at first, until he felt his ability to continue the flames starting to die away. He coudln't do this forever, and the red dragon was waiting for him to stop. The silver dragon thought for a moment before lifting his wings. Then he stopped breathing fire and gave his wings a strong beat, hoping to fly out of the reach of Thorn's flames.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Even though Lyrian had his armor on and Murtagh had casted some type of spell on his sword, that strike could probably still hurt him. The blond haired rider stepped to the side slightly as he gripped his sword tightly. Then he moved his sword to block Murtagh's strike, but the impact of the red blade still made him a little bit shocked.

Then Lyrian quickly pulled the blue blade of his sword back in front of him. Then he lunged, making his sword move in a forward stroke that aimed for Murtagh's ribs. He was awar that it wasn't the best attack he could have chosen, but it was the first when that came to his mind at the moment and it was the attack he wished to use.

[Emiryal ♕]

Thorn waited as Sythern's flames started to die away. This was the moment. He continued his torrent of flames until the silver dragon flew up to get away from them. "Not bad young one," was all he said in reply.

Without notice he flew forward curving upwards to reach Sythern and tried to grab one of the silver dragon's legs and pull him down. Thorn was careful not to draw any blood but he bit hard enough to make it uncomfortable. He wasn't about to harm Sythern right before the mock battle.



Murtagh seemed unbothered by the impact as his sword hit Lyrian's. He was use to this, he had to be. His life and Thorn's depended on it. He was ready and anticipating Lyrian's move a second before the blond haired rider moved to strike.

Zar'roc was a blur of red just before the clash of sword on sword announced Murtagh's successful block. Murtagh had caught the blow with ease. Without waiting for a reaction he pushed Lyrian's sword to the side with a flick of his wrist and inhuman strength, granted to him by Galbatorix through a complex spell.

With a quick back hand swing Murtagh aimed to nick Lyrian's shin. Like Thorn, if the blow hit he would refrain from doing any lasting damage.

[Kathena]

Sythlern smiled slightly when Thorn told him good job, but he could tell the practice wasn't over yet. When Thorn's teeth bit down on his hind leg it took him by surprise. It didn't hurt, but it felt extremely uncomfortable and it was weighting him down. He was slightly hoping that another Empire rider trainee would come and join training so that they would have to
pay attention to him as well, but the silver dragon was aware that that was very unlikely.

He didn't really know how to react until something came to his mind. If Thorn's weight was going to pull it down, he might as well let it. Sythlern stopped beating his wings and pressed them againest his side. Then he twisted until he was going down in a downward spiral. The silver dragon dived downward at a quick speed for a few moments, and then he spread his wings quickly and gave them a strong beat, hoping to make Thorn's grip release at least a little bit.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When Lyrian saw the red blade swinging towards his shin, he cursed slightly in his mind. The blonde haired rider swung his sword to try and block the small blow, but he wasn't quick enough. The red blade made a cut in his leg. It wasn't too big, and it didn't hurt very badly, but he had still failed to block it all the same.

Lyrian ignored the small sharp pain in his leg and tried not to even glance at it. The rider swung his the blue blade of his sword and aimed to hit Murtagh in the side of the neck, but he was sure Murtagh could block it. There was no need to worry about hurting him.

[Emiryal ♕]

Thorn was a bit surprised by Sythlern's reaction. Most dragons would fight to get free of the other dragon's grip. It was a rather dangerous situation, because one of the dragons would usually be at the mercy of the other, not to mention the risk of hitting the ground from so high up.

The extra weight he could've taken but he didn't want to tire himself out with that effort. But then Sythlern twisted and dived down. Thorn roared in frustration and dove after him attempting to hang onto the smaller dragon. The ground was fast approaching. and only at the last minute did Thorn let go of Sythlern. He couldn't risk hitting the ground himself and had to hope the silver dragon would not recover in time to avoid hitting the ground.

Thorn spread his own wings but not in time to ascend again and was forced to half glide, half crash onto the ground. The impact didn't do any real damage to him other than his pride.


Murtagh swung Zar'roc up easily and blocked Lyrian's attack. He flicked the blue blade away from him. However, instead of attacking he looked up at the two dragon's fighting. Only to see them falling. Thorn spread his wings a little to late. "Thorn!" Murtagh said both mentally and aloud.


"I'm fine," Thorn answered. "Watch it little one. The fight is not over for either of us." Murtagh acknowledge that and quickly turned his attention to Lyrian. "Is Slythern alright?" he asked. He hadn't noticed what had happened to the other dragon and Thorn had not told him.

[Kathena]

When Thorn let go of Sythlern's hind leg, he felt good about what he was doing. But then he remembered that the ground was close, and he spread his wings once more, but he hit the ground, landing on his face and falling on his left wing. The silver dragon grunted slightly, flicking his tail in annoyance. His left wing ached from landing on it wrong, and it felt stiff. Sythlern told himself it was just shock from the fall, and that it would go away soon. He sure hoped so anyway. He couldn't risk wounding his wing when the Empire was in war. Plus he could tell that training wasn't even halfway over.

Sythlern, are you ok? Lyrian's question caught Sythlern by surprise.

I'm fine, or I'll be fine at least. My muzzle hurt a little, and my wing is stiff, but I'm sure it will be better in no time, right? The silver dragon replied, trying to be positive. He could tell Lyrian was unsure that it would get better so soon, but his rider didn't say anything. He would probably end up trying to heal it later with magic.

"Sythlern is alright for the most part. He'll be fine," Lyrian replied, now holding his sword at his side. He glanced over at the silver dragon, who was slowly getting up. Sythlern flexed his left wing slightly, trying to get some of the feeling back.

I am sorry, Thorn. That was a stupid idea. Sythlern spoke to the crimson dragon. He was facing the two riders and Thorn, hoping they wouldn't see anything wrong with him after the fall.

[Emiryal ♕]

Thorn kept his wings folded close to his sides. He his wings were uninjured from his crash landing and his scales had protected him enough that there was no real damage done. He had known better than to risk getting that close to the ground but he had done it anyways.

"Stupid yes," Thorn agreed. "On both our parts." It was hard to admit ones own mistake but if you couldn't claim your own mistake what kind of dragon or person were you? A foolish one. "Are you hurt?" Thorn asked Sythlern. "You landed harder than I did."




Murtagh nodded at Lyrian's response. "Seems that Thorn is alright too. Do you want to continue?" he asked. He was currently holding his sword at his side too, indicating the duel was more or less on pause but he was ready to resume. He hesitated though in case Lyrian wanted to check on Sylthern in person. He was listening to Thorn's conversation with Sythern through his link with the red dragon. It seemed Sythern had landed rough.

[Ash & Jackle]

((thinks... about 6 months real time, and if rocore is eragon, i gues senior is mes))

Desguiesed as one of the varden riders, and Iormungr as one of the varden dragons, Ash flew in on the fight. Rocore was Eragon, and his dragon Saphira. They were ordered by Galbatorix to test the trainees.

This won't be fun for the trainees.
I know. They will be getting their rear ends handed to them. Three or four times.
I know! I can't wait! Iormungr said to Ash.

Now Murtagh, or are some of the trainees still missing? Ash asked murtagh, watching him from afar, and asking when Lyrian retreated after dealing a blow, that Murtagh blocked.

[Emiryal ♕]

[ yes this is still open. You are welcome to join. Senior or junior depends on how long your character has been a Rider. ]

[Nepherion]

Uruale exited from the trainee quarters with his crimson helmet held between the crook of his arm and left side. His jaws were clenched into a tight knot and he held a agitated glare on his face. For he had hated the fact that Galbatorix had considered him a trainiee. Even after going under direct training with the king himself, He was still considered a trainiee.

Uruale had been called a champion by many in the Empire, only being overshadowed by Murtagh and Galbatorix. Dammit He growled to himself. It was just utterly humiliating to be batched-in with the newbies. On his side, the shimmering sheathe of Reona shook with his strong steps onto the clearing of the roof. His hand reached up and scratched the side of his jet black hair as he closed in on his partner: Flare.

Along with many of the others, Flare had sat waiting for her Rider to join her. Her rose scales seemed to dance like glittering gems as she laid waiting. She licked the side of her jowls than yawned, it was a rather menacing display of her sharp fangs and ferocious mouth. Uruale's mind had been clouded with the thoughts of anger and resentment, it was a dark ominous presence that always seemed to fueled his actions. She shared his resentment, for she was many times larger than most of the dragon's there. What did she look like flying into battle with a bunch of hatchlings. What I'am their Dam. She hissed to herself.

Uruale came to Flare's side with little more than a grunt. Placing his helm on, he climbed into the maroon saddle and found himself ready to end this " training session ". For whatever reason, Galbatorix had found it necessary for him to participate in this one. In the barren saddle, he found himself re-positioning Reona many times over, trying to find the most suitable way to draw it without warning. Be calm. We will conquer whatever lies in our way and prove to Galbatorix that not even these weaklings we receive mercy from us. He took a moment to let her words lit his anger, then grabbed the ivory spike and nodded. Indeed. Your right. Now let's be done with this. He said, with a steel edge melded over his voice. Flare sprung her massive body into the air and quickly flew towards the training arena.

With the sun to their backs, Uruale begin to notice the glittering red-mass that was Thorn. Almost instantly a flood of anxious emotions begin to flood through their bond. His palms grew sweaty on the spike of her neck and he found himself clenching the hilt of Reona. Could it be that Murtagh was there ? That he would finally claim his title as Champion Of The Empire. A smirk curved his lips as they drew closer and Murtagh's outline became clear. He clenched the spike harder in anticipation. "Finally. " He said through clenched teeth.

Flare landed harshly on the ground, matching her size up with the towering Thorn. A arrogant breathe of smoke expelled from her nostrils as she fed off of Uruale's pride. Her talons dug deep into the earth and with a challenging roar she arched her neck as Uruale brandished Reona. It's rose blade shining brilliantly like so many pink gems spread out in the sun. Once Flare snapped her head back towards Thorn, Uruale thrust his blade towards Murtagh, pointing it at him in a challenge as well. " Come ! Kingkiller. Face me next. " He said in utter arrogance.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh was not surprised when Ash contacted him. He glanced a Thorn who was stretching his wings after his nearly crash landing. "Don't look at me little one, you wish to give the game away?" he said. "I know what you want to ask me. I do not think any more trainees will be coming any time soon. Let us begin this war game already and get it over with."

Sheathing Za'roc he replied to Ash. "I believe this is most of them. Start the attack now," he said. He had to stop himself from running to Thorn and climbing into the saddle. The point was to 'not know' of the attack and he had to play the part.

Instead he turned his attention to Urual and Flare. Urual seemed to be over confident of himself and after power and acknowledgement. Or at least that was what Murtagh saw in him from observing him a few times before.

Thorn responded to Flare's roar with one of his own. His wings were already spread from stretching them out and he left them out to show Flare his immense size and strength. He would not back down to her or any of the Empire Riders except for Galbatorix and Shruikan. He did not move to fight her or train though.

Murtagh seemed only amused by Uruale's arrogance. "I do not answer to you. I choose when I will fight you as will Thorn against Flare. Besides you really don't want me to show you how I got that title do you? I don't think Flare would like to see me kill you in one blow." Uruale had called him Kingkiller, which was true and one of his titles, however, he was using that to taunt the other Rider and try and hit his arrogance down a few notches. The spell he had used to Kill the dwarven king was powerful and could piece through most any magic wards placed and would kill. It wasn't like he really meant to harm Uruale, the empire needed their riders alive after all.

Firern flew just slightly behind ash. He was disguised as a Varden dragon and Emiryal as a Varden Rider. They had been chosen to participate in this on the 'Varden' side. Emiryal with drew both his twin rider blades anticipating the fight would start soon. Right now they were out of sight of the trainees.

He assumed Ash would inquire with Murtagh about if the trainee's were there. He and Firern would wait until either Ash attacked or contacted him with information.