In Hiding (Open to all)

[Aelodil]

Laetri and Agaravel had recently landed near the Jiet River andhid themselves in a small hut in a deep thicket. Laetri was glad he picked this place; it had great pineapples.

Agaravel seemed agitated that her Rider hadn't spoken a word after they landed and got Thringa. She dissappeared in the forest and sent Laetri an image of her roasting a deer before eating it. Smiling, Laetri began to eat his own lunch.

[Emiryal ♕]

Caspian urged Destrier, his horse, on faster. He wasn't running from anyone or anything but simply enjoying the sunny day and a horse ride. It had been weeks since he last rode Destrier. Normally he rode Sephora, his dragon, but he had decided to not do that today.

Destrier had been through so much with him, he was like an old friend. Sephora was back with the Varden. She had not accompanied him despite her protests. Caspian had asked her to stay behind. He may have been a rider but he wanted a day to himself like he used to have in his quiet village.

Caspian wore leather gloves to protect his hands as well as hide his gewdy insgnia. He pulled on the reins and brought Destrier to a stop. he let the horse drink from the Jiet River and leaned down to wash his face. It was a warm day and the water felt good and cooled him off. Destreir neighed nervously and backed away from the river suddenly. "What is it?" Caspian asked nervously. He hoped it was just predators like a cougar or wolf. Those he could deal with. he hoped it wasn't Empire soliders or worse and Empire Rider. Destrier didn't like dragons much as it was. Caspian suddenly realized how foolish it had been to leave all his weapons besides his bow back in the Varden's camp. "Please let it be a cougar or wolf," he mumbled standing up and looking for whatever Destrier was reacting to.

[Aelodil]

Hearing a horse whinny Laetri went to find a man.. But it looked like an elf in a way.. A Rider! He contacted Agaravel and told her. "But don't reveal yourself unless he threatens me." she acknowledged. He asked , "What can i do for you Rider?"

[Emiryal ♕]

"I am no Rider only a rider of a horse. I am on my way to my uncle's home. Who are you?" Caspian lied rather convincingly. He wasn't about to reveal anything about him until he knew who this was and if he could even be trusted. For all he knew Laetri could be an Empire soldier. The mark on his hand was hidden by a glove and he'd only been with Sephora for a few months not long enough to transform him much. He was still human looking.

[Aelodil]

Laetri wasn't completely convinced but he said, "Do not worry brother. I am not with the Empire." Agaravel then suddenpy roared angrily. Driven by instinct Laetri leaped over to Capian an unsheathed Thringa and put it to Cqspian's throat.

Agaravel came streaking down like a wave of aqua. Her scales glittering beautifully were not as dark as Saphira's but of a lighter aqua-blue hue. She hissed at Caspian and asked him with her thoughts in her musical and soft voice, "Where is your dragon?"

[Emiryal ♕]

Caspian flinched as Agaravel roared. The pair appeared to be quite a threat, and while they said they were not with the Empire he had no one of knowing if that were true.

Having no weapons other than his bow Caspian was instantly at Laetri's mercy. His bow was out of reach on Destrier's saddle and even if it wasn't it would be of no use at this close a range. The young rider froze as the cold metal of the sword touched his throat. His heart raced with worry and he was to far away to contact Sephora for help. If he got out of this alive she would berate him for leaving without her in the first place.

Destier reared up in fear as Agaravel came towards them. Caspian reached out and mentally calmed the horse. While Desteir couldn't out run a dragon having his horse as a retreat was better than attempting it on foot. The black horse whined nervously but remained where he was. Destier if not anything else was loyal to Caspian alone.

Caspian threw barriers around his mind as the dragon spoke to him. "I told you I am NOT a rider," he said aloud determined to keep up the act. his gloves still covered his hands hiding any proof to contradict his words. He held his hands behind his back to prevent Laetri from even attempting to remove his gloves.

[Aelodil]

"Do NOT attempt to fool me or Agaravel lest you anger us. And I apologies, I wished you no discomfort,"-said Laetri as he sheathed Thringa again-"it was reflexes..." He then offered his hand as a way of handshake and said, "My name is Laetri, Rider of Agaravel. We are Neutral Rider and Dragon, we wish peace and nothing more." Agaravel then said, "My name is Agaravel, also known as Bjartskular, or Brightscales in you two-legged-round-ears' language. We are Neutral Dragon and Rider, we wish peace and nothing more." she said in the binding Ancient Language but with their minds as well, so he could understand. Laetri then said in the Ancient Language, "Now, do not attempt to fool us lest we crush your mind and see for ourselves. What is the name of your dragon? Where is she or he?" Agaravel then said, "Please, we only wish to know that we are not the last of our kind." in the binding Ancient Language.

[Emiryal ♕]

Caspian's plan to remain unknown was falling apart at every second that passed. When Laetri withdrew his sword Caspian turned to Destrier and grabbed the leather lead. He didn't want the horse bolting. The horse was nervous enough now that Agaravel had landed and had moved a little ways off. With Caspians urging the nervous horse came closer to the dragon but he looked scared to death.

He hesitated to shake Laetri's hand wondering if it was a ploy so Laetri could pull his glove off. Well either way Laetri for one was an elf and had his dragon. In both ways he was over powered and they could take what they wanted if they chose to. He swallowed nervously and offered his hand as he shook the elf's. Had he known how he would've responded with a elf gesture rather than a handshake but alas he did not know it.

The young rider inhaled sharply as the dragon spoke to his mind, his barrier had crumbled at his very touch of simply speaking to him. He was not the best at hiding his mind, usually Sephora aided him in such a task. He relaxed some as they spoke in the Ancient Language for he knew they couldn't be lying. He nervously took a step back towards his horse. "I-Greetings skyscales, it's an honor to meet you and your rider," he said his voice tense. Agaravel looked like he belonged in the sky with the color of his scales, he had heard dragons gain such nicknames and hoped the one he gave the dragon was pleasing.

He held up his hand half protectively when the dragon threaten to crush his mind if he did not answer. "--so this is how you treat people you just met telling them you want peace but you'll crush my mind at the same time?" he said seeming upset by it. "I would not tell you a single thing! But you'll take it and more regardless."

"I told you already who I am, and I'm traveling to see my uncle. I have no dragon and I am NOT a rider," he said maintaining his lie. He wasn't sure if this was best but what did he have to loose they'd take what they wanted probably even if he did tell them. To him the pair seemed cruel and even Empire-like despite their words. "All I can tell you, is you are not the last of his kind, I've seen Riders among the Varden, most well known is Eragon, his half brother is also a Rider but on the side of the Empire."

[Aelodil]

Laetri said with amusement, "Agaravel is a she. And whatever you think, we only threatened you because it sorrows us to feel in the presence of another Rider who denies it." Laetri suddenly grabbed Caspian's hands and tore off the gloves and looked at the gewdey insignia. Agaravel hummed with delight while Laetri said, "Would you accompany us with your dragon?"

[ᗩпїra]

Naomi let out an excited yelp at the exhilarating gallop along Windkissed, the ebony stallion whinnying in response and urging himself to go faster. The two knew each other well, almost like that of the bond between a Rider and dragon, but Naomi couldn't speak with Windkissed that well yet. A sharp snap of branches ran in the air, the American Quarter Horse clearing a bed of sharp shrubs and coming down on the other side into a forgotten trodden path. He instinctively slowed, snorting softly as his gait slowed to a calm trot.

She reached down and gave him an overjoyed pat along the shoulder, followed by a satisfied nicker from Windkissed himself. Naomi leaned forward, resting on his shoulder while her pale Swedish blonde hair rippled over in magnificent curls. The indigo dress she wore had very little detail, plain and simple with a small plaid bow around the wait and along the rim. Now it was just sprawled elegantly over the stallion, since Naomi insisted on riding bareback. Whenever she had been questioned by her brother she'd respond idly,"Does it seem like I need a saddle, William?"

Naomi smiled quietly at the memory, turning slightly to stare up at the brilliant canopy above her filled with the fluttering and chirping of various types of birds. Wouldn't it be nice to fly? "A Pegasus.You're a fallen Pegasus, you are. What happened to your wings?" Windkissed turned to stare questioningly at Naomi, his dark birch gaze locking with her mesmerizing emerald that could gentle even the most sorrowful of hearts. It was Windkissed that broke the connection, sweeping back around to trail along their regular path.

The path finally turned out to an end, and it seemed that it was finally safe to go on to a full straight on gallop. He already knew, Naomi could feel the muscles tensing ready to spring, and -- they were off! Her hair whipped back behind her, an indigo and ebony blur across the unknown path that led up to an old abandoned shack. Naomi didn't yet know the history of the little place, no one having any clue that the building even existed.

She squinted against the glare of light in the open fields during the gallop, what were those figures in the distance? No one has ever lived there before, maybe I should go and say hello.

[Aelodil]

Laetri flicked to the sound of horse's hooves drumming in a gallop. Agaravel jumped protectively in front of him and asked in her soft musical voice, "May I kill them?" "No," came the response from Laetri, "they may be friendly." He then addressed the horse's rider, "What have you come to do here today?" He began to inspect her. She was beautiful in a way even some Elves couldn't match. He hoped the perfume he accidentally made wouldn't intoxicate her or lure her to him.

[ᗩпїra]

Uncertainty and fear collapsed inside of her as she realized the large figure was a beautiful dragon, Windkissed clearly caught on to her change in mood and reared up unexpectedly with a snort of fear. Naomi grasped for her stallion's velvety neck, but it was too late as she toppled to the ground with a quiet gasp. A sharp struck of pain rippled into her wrist, grasping it with her one hand while staring up at the Rider accusingly. Broken, typical. She remembered that it was wise to never reach down while falling, though it happened so quickly she didn't have much time to react.

Windkissed snorted at the Rider that asked the question, leaning his head downward to check on the fallen Naomi worriedly. He flexed his muscles in a confused manner, stomping his hoof in a similar demeanor. With her free hand, she reached up and rubbed his muzzle, cooing quietly to calm him without so much as glancing up at the one that now loomed before her.

Once it seemed that the ebony stallion was quite calm, Naomi pulled herself up using Windkissed to balance herself. She closed her entrancing eyes, prepared herself, and snapped the wrist back into place without so much as a cry. It wasn't unusual to break a wrist, falling never being an uncommon thing, especially for Surda's cavalry riders. In a way she envied them, for she could swear that she could ride ten times as fast, fight just as well, and probably take out the same amount of the Empire. Where could she do her fair share?

Naomi tested her hand, closing it and opening it before examining each finger in particular. She then locked gazes with the one that stood before her, running her observant emerald optics through his appearance and watching for any signs that he was going to apologize. It was plain rude to interrupt a horseback rider that was going that fast, and it was basically his fault she had fallen. Naomi's gaze softened for a moment, the strange ivory hair uncommon with the soft features and the -- pointy ears? A-an elf? They're real?

She didn't speak for a few moments, observing him quietly before answering calmly,"I'm here for my own reasons, out for a ride. I should be asking you, why you are here, Rider?"

[Aelodil]

Wincing at what happened Laetri apologized and leaned over to inspect her and it seemed she was still in some pain and so asked, "May I?" because singing a song in the Ancient Language to heal her pain. He gasped as he thought the energy would be less. He then said, "I am an Elven Rider, and this is my dragon Agaravel. Please be patient with her, for she is quick to wonder if someone is here to attempt to murder me...as for why we're here? We are Neutral, we wish nothing more than peace." Agaravel then said, "Do not blame my Rider for your injury."

[ᗩпїra]

"I shall blame the one who distracted my stallion, Brightscales." She spoke directly to Agaravel boldly, staring at Laetri quietly. Naomi was slightly relieved that some of the pain was gone, though pain was said to just make one stronger. Did he heal her just because he felt pity, or was that just out of the kindness of his heart? She pulled her wrist to her chest, examining it once more before softly directing,"Thank you, but you need not to waste energy on me Rider."

Naomi leaned against Windkissed, who flared his nostrils at Agaravel bravely. He had been taught well to not fear or bolt at certain items, but a dragon had never been in the training itself. It was actually Naomi's first time near a dragon, or even speaking with a dragon for one. The words in poems and stories rang true for their brilliance, and she couldn't help but think of Eragon who also worked for the Varden. She had never seen him herself, but sometimes she happened to spot a flash of royal blue in the depths of the sky.

"My name is Naomi, proud supporter of the Varden." She inquired, leaving out her last name for safety reasons. Her brother was off on a mission at the moment, he had yet to explain the objective which slightly put Naomi off. "What brings you here though, so close to Surda and the Varden?"

[Emiryal ♕]

Caspian yelped as Laetri grabbed his hand and tore off the glove to reveal his golden gewdey insignia. As soon as Laetri would allow he pulled his hand back holding it close to his chest. "I only deny it for my protection. My dragon is with the Varden at the moment, I can't contact her this far away," he said. "Her name is Sephora, she is also called goldenscales at times."

He reached for the bow on his saddle, he didn't like being unarmed with Laetri here and treating him the way he was. But then he heard and soon saw a horse rider approaching, she was a member of the Varden! He watched in horror as she fell from her horse, that was soon resolved before he could react.

He led Destier towards Windkissed and Naomi. He'd rather by by an ally he knew he could trust than a Rider who tore his secrets from him. He flexed his wrist slightly, having his hand be grabbed the way it had hurt a bit. "Careful Naomi," he cautioned.

Destier nickered softly in greeting to Windkissed. Caspian had never met Naomi before but from her words he knew they were on the same side. Destier on the other hand had seen Windkissed in the stables before.

Caspian was surprised as a familiar presence touched his mind. Sephora! "What are you doing here?" he asked her. "You don't think I'd really let you leave me behind do you?" she replied. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah I think so, but I don't trust this guy," he said. Sephora began to descend her brilliant golden scales catching the sunlight just right. In her claws she was holding something long like a stick. She landed behind Caspian and set Nangling, formerly Oromis' sword, on the ground before moving to place herself between her rider and Laetri and his dragon. Her teeth showed slightly in a warning. She was about twice the size of a horse and rather small for a dragon of her age.

Destier neighed nervously but did not bolt when Sephora landed near him. He was used to the gold dragon and knew she wouldn't harm him. Caspian retrieved Nangling and tied it to his belt, he left one hand on the hilt ready to draw it if needed. Introductions with this new rider certainly hadn't gone well.

[ᗩпїra]

Naomi felt a sense of relief, recognizing one of the Varden's many Riders with a faint memory in the back of her mind. She had never actually spoken with him, always being just a random citizen among the others. Nothing very special about her, a normal human, knowing only a slight bit of magic, a free spirit, though born of a noble family. She and her brother owned all the riches now, spending it wisely ever since their parents died in a battle against the Empire. Naomi summoned pride when thinking of her brother, repeating all the marvelous times together through thick and thin. He was one of the many knights of the Varden, riding along on Windkissed's twin brother at birth.

She took a step back, taking a hold of Windkissed who glanced uneasily at the approaching dragon that made gold take to shame. Naomi was slightly overwhelmed, being so close to two large creatures and Riders with stronger abilities. One of which being neutral and could widely be lying through his teeth. Her optics locked with Destier's bold gaze when he spoke the small warning, and she took it to heart. A full out battle could happen right in front of her if something happened to go wrong, and getting on the wrong side of the other Rider could prove fatal.

Windkissed nickered quietly in return, nudging his rider urgently since he didn't feel quite at ease near the dragons. Naomi reached a hand up to scratch his muzzle, trying to keep herself and him calm at the same time. No fear in fact, just not being used to ending up in these situations. It was her brother that usually got caught in strange moments, not counting the time when she was stabbed in her side by that assassin during her hunting. That didn't count, only a mere flesh wound that she healed with magic.

Naomi gripped the hilt of her long sword slightly, noticing the same movement with the one beside her. How would her regular sword match with those of the other Riders? She held back an irritated sigh, realizing how completely useless it would be to try and defend herself if attacked. Judging by the sword's look, diameter, length, and the strange glow emanating from it, she could pretty much sum up the fact that hers would be sliced in half with much ease. What happens now?

[Aelodil]

Tears streaming out of his eyes Laetri wept and sobbed and fel to his knees in front oc the golden dragon qnd said, "O' mighty dragon I must say your scales shine like golden diamonds and I mean none ny harm." Agaravel also repeated tht, both saying it in their minds and words in the Ancient Language to show they were sincere. He answered the woman, "We are here to camp for a while. We mean no harm to anyone. We want peace."

[ᗩпїra]

Naomi let out a quiet sigh, gesturing towards the Rider beside her with a simple flick of the wrist. She silently mentioned in her soft toned voice,"I am not the one to speak with, I'm just a mere onlooker that comes here often." Windkissed was off to the left, grazing uneasily in the lush green field and often glancing upward to ensure the dragons kept their distance. It seemed he wanted to be off as quickly as possible, sending slight amusement into her mesmerizing emerald gaze.

She turned and examined the two dragons, each holding a splendor gaze full of beauty, elegance, and intelligence. Naomi felt out of breath being next to the two, feeling abnormally small compared to the world. She was just a small ant in a colony of billions, nothing more than a helping hand. It's said that she's a big contribute to the Varden money wise, but being sent out to battle would probably make her feel more useful. Eh, adventure, how was she going to succeed in achieving that quality upon the back of Windkissed? He's an amazing stallion, but traveling is always going to be slow.

Naomi didn't know much about the Riders, except that their strength, speed, and other sense were about a hundred times stronger than a regular human. How did I end up in this predicament? She thought to herself, slightly amused at the coincidence.

[Emiryal ♕]

Caspian and Sephora were both surprised by the response. Caspian held out Destrier's lead to Naomi to take. Then he walked around his dragon to her side so he could see Laetri and speak for Sephora.

The gold dragon took a less threatening stance. Laetri as an elf was surely older and more experience than her and her rider, why would he react like this?

"You've said that before. We know you cannot lie in that language, but what are you going to do now? The Empire won't let you stay free for long. We doubt you'd last against Murtagh if he came to capture you," he said for Sephora and himself.

"Your kind, elves already fight with the Varden, why not join your kin? You would be of great use to the Varden," he said.

[ᗩпїra]

Naomi didn't protest when she was politely handed the reins, usually always been good around horses. She lightly rubbed Destrier's forehead, admiring his beauty and muscle structure from traveling. Very calm indeed, reminding her much of Windkissed in the far corner of the field as happy as a clam at the moment. He apparently had struck a wondrous find, a fluttering butterfly with strangely marked wings. The young stallion bounced and bucked after it with a joyous nicker.

She listened quietly to their conversation, speaking up near the end to add in to Caspian's urging,"The Varden fights for the people, trying to recreate and restore the lands of Alagaesia to it's former peace and tranquility. The Empire has nothing to offer, Galbatorix enslaving his Riders and other servants to do the dirty work for him so he doesn't have to leave the safety of his comfy throne." It was amazing she could speak so boldly, but she had grown up with a disliking to the Empire. Her parents, after all, had been slain down unjustly during a large battle.

"I know the Varden doesn't have much to offer, but I for one hope that I can live to see a better world. One not ruled by an ignorant child who has been given too many toys to play with, making him spoiled and brat-like." Naomi referred to Galbatorix specifically, a little proud of her smooth words and clearly thought out phrases.