Introductions.

[Nandon]

Aysten let the muscles he had prepared which would have let him stand relax, but none the less he pulled himself up into a sitting position. He watched the river for a few moments before it went down the next bend. "True I supose." Aysten said tail "i wonder what lands lay out side of algaesia....and i wonder if they are as war torn as this land...."Aysten thoughts turned to the elf next to him and he quickly pushed the thoughts away but they had been enough for sora to catch on to and he sensed her amusment. "you are very fond of this two feet pointed ears "sora remarked and aysten hastily disagreed "No. She is a friend nothing more...a good friend that is it...."Aysten said without to much truth

[ᗩпїra]

Anira remained where she was, watching Herion and Sora circle in the sky with quiet contempt and happiness. "Yes, maybe that's where we'll go. Beyond, where no one can use us against our will. Though, as I said, it depends what happens in between then and now." She held back the part where either of them might not even make it through the war, especially since the Empire is aware of yet another Rider in the skies. Galbatorix must have a lot of work on his hands, not on his hands, but on his Riders that he made swear fealty against their will.

She glanced up at Aysten in quiet amusement, gesturing up at the two and stating,"It seems like their already fond of each other, at least Herion has some competition around here now." Anira tried to sit up, cringing slightly while she held back the short gasp of pain before managing to accomplish the feat. She lent out a hand along the smooth ground, her fingers sinking into the soft silt to keep herself balanced. "What doesn't kill me, is just going to make me stronger." Anira mentioned under her breath, smiling up at Herion for a moment longer.

[Nandon]

Aysten stared at her then felt sora's amusement and his cheecks quickly tinted red. Then he offered a hand out to her to help before she sucedded. Then he nodded his head "yes...heron does seem to be enjoying himself."Aysten then he placed a finger in the sand and started writing words in it "when the young march to war. Leaving those they love behind. Who is hurt worse? Those who fight to return to those they love. Or those that must wait for them to come home."

[ᗩпїra]

Anira reached over and quietly remarked into the sand underneath in neat handwriting: Neither. It's the ones that expectantly awaited the return of their loved ones, only to find out that they died later on. She smiled quietly, drawing little pictures beside the words of a small battlefield, large dragons flying over head and the image of bombs. Anira wiped it away, and circled the spot to put a small spot in the middle and asked,"What do people really fight for?" It was her turn to ask a question, though it was simple question really.

Herion dove downward until he was reasonably below Sora until he flipped over onto his back to stare up at her with a smug expression. Can you do this? He challenged, floating along the drifts with outstretched wings that reflected the light back up at the clouds.

She noticed a tinge in his cheeks, wondering what was going on throughout the connection between Sora and him. Embarrassed. Maybe Sora was questioning the time he fly into that tree? That would certainly turn Anira's cheeks a rosy pink in amusement. Anira awaited expectantly for his answer.

[Nandon]

Aysen watched her draw the pictures. Then thought for a moment "people fight so that those they love may have a better future."Aysten said and sora perked in once again through there mental link "in your case your two legged pointy ears friend". Then she roared before diving below heron and then flipped onto her back as well then doing a lopp so she was back over heron she began spinning and slicing through the air. "I can do that and better!"

[ᗩпїra]

Herion grinned, letting out an encouraging roar before he circled around her in amusement. Oh really? Prove it. When he was circling for the fourth time, when he was under he dove backwards into a back flip to right himself in mid-air. He tilted his right wing forward, casting his left back until he was flying vertically through the air in a difficult turning maneuver.

Meanwhile, Anira nodded casually, but murmured,"True, but not the entire case. Galbatorix has pride, pride can lead to people doing many things." She motioned back to what he mentioned when they first met,"Just like when one is cornered, it leads them to doing unspeakable actions." Anira quietly went back to observing the competition happening above her, amused as she noticed Herion doing one of those turns where she would almost slide off of his back without the saddle. It almost happened along the Eldor quite a few times.

"Even after the war ends, there's still going to be conflict. The mind is only capable of withstanding insults and attacks at their pride to a limit. When they are no longer able to hold it in, they lash out, believing wholeheartedly that themselves were wronged. In contrast, the "offender" would obviously think that they did nothing wrong, and that ourselves lashed out for no reason." She paused silently before continuing,"That leads to skirmishes, skirmishes to heated fights, and heated fights to full-scale wars."

[Nandon]

Aysten nodded "that is true I supose. Though i wonder what a worl without war would be like?"Aysten then watched sora and grinned "No fair your more experienced than me!"she cried. Then turned she spoke to heron "it is funny how two leg two ears tip toe around affection." Then she tilted her wings and drifted on a drifrent current of wind

[ᗩпїra]

Herion nodded in amusement, and called outward,"That is true. Life would be so much easier if they just admitted it, do you agree?" He floated along on his back, taking a break for a moment at the marvelous flying. It was nice having someone to speak to that was near the same experience as he. Belgabad and Starlight seemed to have much more wisdom than him, but that was just because he was younger than the two.

Anira pondered for a moment before answering,"Normal." She pulled herself upward till she was standing shakily upright. "Shall we go for a walk?" She was in need of a stretch of her limbs, the broken contrast of them still lingering around. Three times they had been snapped in half, each by the same exact Rider. It sickened her slightly.

[Nandon]

Aysten stood up and nodded "sure."Aysten he said watching sora fly around for a moment before catching up to anira.

[ᗩпїra]

Anira set pace to follow the path of the river which edged out into the meadow that Herion had been in moments before. The bright flowers that dotted the meadow mixed with naturally grown barley etched in between with the trickling stream that coursed off from the main river. A tributary as it was called.

She decided to start conversation, feeling abnormally calm despite the scream of terror from her muscles that protested against the extent of movement. "What would you like to talk about?" Asking when she further had no ideas of reason.

Herion, on the other hand, floated along the drifts once more. His tail kept him propelled him the right direction, twisting in the air to right himself with a gentle flap of his wings.

[Nandon]

Aysten shrugged he had one thing he really wished to talk about but he didnts know if it was to personal or not. "Well...i would kind of like to know about your past. I mean...you know much about my past and how i lost...her...."aysten said before continuing "but i know little about your past... like did you ever have someone you where close to?"Aysten asked generally curious.

Sora flew next to heron drifting from air current to current, enjoying the ipen space of the sky.

[ᗩпїra]

"Not really, I never get very close to anyone. Only close friends that I'd make on the training field on sword to sword combat." She quietly tread on, thinking about where to start. "Well, my birthday is the last day of the year. December 31st. It was a time of great celebration among the elven cities, especially in Ellesmera. Nothing special seemed to happen afterward I suppose. While I was growing up, I'd visit Oromis often and he'd teach me about opening my mind to those around me, doing these special exercises that stretch the muscles and make them strong, and he taught me my magic abilities. For a short time, I was enjoying myself, but I was soon cast aside when Eragon took my place in the training. I often watched along the sidelines, even witnessed him and Rhunon make his sword Brisingr. I suppose I was jealous, I wasn't as important."

She paused for a moment, following a trail of clouds in the sky for a short time. "My parents went off to war, word of their death spreading to me a few months after. I was devastated really, but that only made me push harder to make something of myself. Funny actually, but I'd wake up each morning before the sun could rise and run myself till I could no longer stand. I'd use a spell to regain energy, then getting up to do the exercises before going to the training field to practice with a regular combat sword. I didn't have my Rider's sword yet. Among those times, I met Angela who gave me my twin daggers. You know of that story already, but I'd often throw the daggers out towards magical targets in practice. By the time it was night, I would be exhausted."

"I didn't feel myself anymore, being alone as it was. No excitement, though right out the city there was a whole world of exploring to do. One night especially, Eragon was visiting with his family such as Roran and his human wife, and they were delivering eggs to Ayra. I watched from the shadows for a while, until I finally broke contact and went for a long run out into Du Weldenvarden. Wasn't paying attention, and stumbled upon an beautiful violet stone. I felt a presence emitting from within, and I was frustrated really. I spoke to it, or him, cradling the rock in my lap. Slowly, a large crack broke through the center, and I was afraid I had broken it by mistake until a figure appeared in my lap shaking aside the pieces of 'egg' that still remained. He tentively poked the tip of my right hand, which sent that chill coursing through me. When I opened my eyes, my usual green eyes had drained out to this white tone. My hair seemed normal until I stepped into the light and noticed the light purple gleams within. The Silver Palm. I was a Rider."

"I went to speak with Rhunon privately, explaining the situation in utmost privacy while she was struck down with excitement. With her promise in the Ancient Language broken by the name of the language itself, she didn't dare to construct it herself even though she was perfectly capable of. She made me do it myself, instructing me along as she carefully glanced back at the hatchling of Herion with his beautiful violet coloring and the short stripes of ivory down his neck, tail, and wings. I found the true name of my sword afterwards. I bid her farewell, and then Herion and I both awaited for him to get larger so he could handle the burden of me during the flight to the Eldor. We both agreed it'd be best to hide from the Varden and the Empire till we were both stronger. I fell in love during our first ride, though it tore up my thigh and legs terribly. From there, we both traveled to the Eldor, camping there for a few weeks until we acquired visitors: you, Vlaer, and Belgabad."

[Nandon]

Aysten nodded thoughtfully as they continued walking. Then he turned his head upward and watched sora.. he smiled as a roar was unleashed. "You know.... why dont we just leave algaesia? I hear that the varden has discovered lands beyond ours. We could build a boat and sail away...us and vlaer. We could get away from this conflict thats plauging the land...."Aysten said stopping and spinning so he faced anira

[ᗩпїra]

Anira thought for a moment before quietly shaking her head slowly in response, contemplating the good and the bad parts of the idea. "The good thing is that we'd all be away from the conflict, but the bad is that we'd be running (or sailing away) from our problems, leaving other Riders and the whole of Alagaesia to the hands of Galbatorix, and --" There was many wrongs about the thought. What if the place they found was full of strange and odd creatures? Or a whole different society was at war with one another?

"It could work. Though would we all really be happy? Vlaer might not even wish to go, it'd only be the four of us." She trailed off, considering the possibility with a downcast gaze. "What about Sora? She hasn't met many of her own kind thus far. Herion is an exception, and she'd meet Belgabad if Vlaer and him decides to come."

Anira had nothing left here in Alagaesia except enemies and ones that would truly love to use her to their advantage. Did she really want to join the Varden? Did they actually have any chance to defeat the mighty Empire?

"Maybe we should leave for a while. Train with Vlaer in peace, and then return. The war probably could have ended by then, but if not we could lend a hand and then head back. I don't know. Whatever is best for Herion."

[Nandon]

Aysten sighed realizing the faults "i know i guess....i just....really want a place where sora and I and those i consider my family to be safe at...Im tired i supose of fighting...."Aysten said sighing, his shoulders slumping down in slight sadness.... sora was out of there comunication range right now but she could feel his general mood.

[ᗩпїra]

"Everything will be fine, though I can't promise you that. We all still have each other, which is all we really need, right?" She tentatively placed a hand on his shoulder, and murmuring quietly,"Maybe it would be better to go away for a while. I'm powerless against these Riders, and the fact that the Empire riders use their Eldunari against their will sickens me. I'll only accept one that accepts me, maybe even one of Herion's lineages."

Anira had no clue the parents of Herion, though she could probably get some information from Belgabad himself. She pushed back the random thought, and stated softly,"You have to keep your head held high, at least promise me this. Clear your mind, let the troubling thoughts leave you till the weight crushing upon you sinks into the ground forevermore." Her thoughts ranged back to the blasted torture at Uru'Baen, holding back a cringe as she remembered the quite protest of a silent scream as the hot burners smoldered the skin.

She drew back her hand softly, and quietly mentioned,"Maybe your idea isn't that bad after all. Why stay and risk ourselves and dragons if we know we aren't strong enough yet?"

[Nandon]

Aysten quickly drew a breath as she placed a hand on his shoulder then he nodded as several of her points where made. Then when she finally finished "exactly....I just want to guarentee a safe future for myself and sora...."Aysten said lifting his head up and locking his gaze with anira's for a moment before turning away

[ᗩпїra]

"Well then, maybe we should go tell the idea to Sora and Herion and see how the two feel about this?" She asked quietly, gesturing towards the far off glimmer in the sky where the two still seemed to be enjoying themselves in the warm and gentle air currents. It was reassuring knowing that winter was finally drawing to an end, the warmth of spring followed by short rain showers enlightening the land once more.

Anira wondered what they could possibly find beyond Alagaesia, what if there was just plain sea and this was the only continent besides a few small islands? Have no worries. We have to at least try.

[Nandon]

Aysten nodded and started walking when a memory from his past rolled forward and played out infront of his eyes. It brought back all the torment and anguish he had felt such a short time ago and he fell, unable to suport himself he fell dwon to both his kknees tears held back slightly but glinting in his eyes.

Sora sensed the problem and instantly began flying back "aysten!"Aysten she cried

[ᗩпїra]

Anira dropped down at the similar moment, reacting swiftly and holding him steady before he could fully collapse to the ground. "Aysten, what's happening? Speak to me." She gently set him down on the ground, staring over him with a worried expression flickering in her usual emotionless gaze. "What's wrong? Don't cry." Anira took her thumb and gently swept away a hot salty tear that seemed to sting to the touch. What was happening to him? Was it something she had done?

Herion felt the alarm throughout Anira, twisting downwards at a quick pace and following Sora who must have felt a silent alarm between the two as well. Hatchling, what is going on? He was soon by her side, leaning over the crumpled figure and his own Rider leaning over him in a desperate manner.