Emiryal Nyteshaed -- Rider (Trainee) {Done}
Dec 14, 2011 22:35:06 GMT -5
Post by Emiryal ♕ on Dec 14, 2011 22:35:06 GMT -5
Emiryal Nyteshaed
Other name: Malthinae Hjarta (bound heart), Heir of the Forsworn
Race: Elf
Side: Empire
Magic User: Yes
Gender: Male
Preferred Weapon(s): Two swords (Domia and Ebrithil), Bow (Manin), Magic
Birthplace: Nadindel (Du Weldenvarden)
Age: 127
Birthday: Jan 20
Eyes: Forest green
Hair: Silvery white
Weight: 154
Height: 5'7''
Appearance: In every physical aspect Emiryal looks like most any other elf. He is slim, tall and walks with the grace that only the elves have. His features are angular with high cheek bones and pointed ears. His stride is sure and determined, never faltering. He knows what he must do and he will not change his mind nor can he.
His skin is slightly paler than the elves of Du Weldenvarden. His skin looks like has only ever been outside but by moonlight. Whether that is the case or the result of a spell only Emiryal and Firern, his dragon, know. There have been those who speculated the reason and as one bard relayed in a song the cause is the power of the moon that came to rest upon his skin, paling it. And that it shall never grow darker, even in the brightest sunlight of the Hadorac desert. Of course this is false but it is a story that somewhat amuses Emiryal.
Emiryal's forest green eyes that once held mirth and merriment now have a look of despair and sorrow nearly as deep as if he had already lost his dragon, Firern, to the void. His strong steely gaze challenges anyone who dares look into his eyes to ask him the reason of his despair and sorrow, and to which is a challenge he refuses to answer.
He has no facial hair and his face retains a certain youthfulness that is deceiving when figuring his true age. His white hair has an almost silver sheen to it like moonlight. He keeps his hair short and seldom bothers to do more with it than run a comb through it but once.
He is almost never seen unarmed. His second most favored weapon is an old bow named Manin. It is made of a dark wood from a tree long forgotten deep within Du Weldenvarden. The white bowstring stands out like ivory against the night and the ancient runes carved in red twist down the bow like a river of blood.
His most favored weapon, or more correctly weapons as he prefers to fight with two swords and no shield, are his two twin dragon rider swords: Domia and Ebrithil. Their black blades are as dark as the deepest shadow and seem to reflect no light. And the black blades sometimes appear to be a living smokey shadow if studied for long enough.
His attire depends on the situation. When a formal occasion arises that he must attend he often wears a dark green doublet trimmed with black and wears either Domia or Ebrithil. His casual attire is usually a white outfit with red, green, gold and silver on it and black boots and gloves and it stands out in stark contrast to his Firern's black scales. His battle attire consists of a mail chain shirt, greaves and a black cape trimmed with gold. And as to be expected when in battle attire he always has both Domia and Ebrithil with him and on occasions Manin as well.
Personality: Emiryal was once as the elves are. He seemed to have few worries aside from the Empire and took pleasure in studying magic, swordsmanship and astronomy. He paid little heed to those of other races and often sought the solitude of his home of Nadindel of Du Weldenvarden. That changed when he bonded with Firern; he became a different person, a shadow of what he once was, a broken person. (see history.)
Now Emiryal is quiet and reserved. He acts as a man who has lost everything from freedom to his identity, for he has lost both. He seldom speaks unless it's required of him. When he does speak it is with a cold heartedness as if nothing matters in the world. His words are cold, calculating and few. He prefers to observe and say nothing, and he seems to take everything whether good or ill with a rather distant reaction. He merely accepts fate. He sees no way to struggle as others do against it. In the end fate wins and the heart dies.
His actions are only what is in the favor of the Empire and he seems to have no desires or will of his own. When given a choice that has nothing to do with the Empire he refuses to answer. To most it may seem his only concern is for the Empire or that he is merely arrogant. When in truth the deep despair, sorrow and his sworn allegiance prevent him from doing anything but the Empire's will.
When in public he does the bidding of the Empire. He cares for no one and in this manner he dispatches his enemies. He shows no emotion, no concern and no fear in battle. It more often than not causes his enemies to wonder at his fearlessness, but they know not whether to condemn him for it or praise him for it. Few can face him in battle and not at least wonder at the reason for his disconnection and of the sorrow and despair that haunt him. His eyes foretell the answer to the reason, but never does he voice it.
He has never known love aside from Firern. Those who admire him do so at a distance for both fear and awe of him. However, any with the bravery to as so much utter a kind word to him find that their words lost on him, as if they had never said it. Even if he did accept their words he couldn't return any affection, for the Empire always must comes first.
When alone Emiryal studies dragon rider lore, military tactics, sword and bowmanship and the possible threats to the Empire. In the privacy of his mind he speaks openly, but only there will he do so, and only to Firern, his dragon. To no one else but Firern will he speak to of the emotions he hides, the concerns and the despair and sorrow within, while he morns in his heart for what cannot be.
---Likes: Firern, swordsmanship, magic, Du Weldenvarden, astronomy, solitude, peace
---Dislikes: Empire, the loss of his freedom and identity, enslavement
---Strengths: magic, swordsmanship, agility, sharp mind
---Weakness: Firern, his sorrow and despair, acceptance of his fate
Family:
Laetri Nyteshaed -- father
Nari Arget -- mother
Not-So-Brief History: Unlike most of the shorter lived races Emiryal has seen more than a century pass. Year by year, season by season and day by day. Time meant little to him because time was something he had ample of.
Emiryal grew up in Nadindel of Du Weldenvarden with his parents. As a youngling he had been fascinated with the stories of the riders, and as his long life allowed he was able to meet one before the fall. His mother, Nari, indulged in making a fairth of the rider whom he met. And for two decades he treasured that fairth.
He learned to hunt, to fight and the ways of the elves. He was one of the few elf children at the time and that being the case the whole of the village took it upon them to watch out for him and teach him. At times he found that frustrating as he would have three different elves tell him the best way to hunt in three different ways. He found he could get away from that and seek solitude in the depths of Du Weldenvarden.
And there in the depths of Du Weldenvarden he studied and brought books and scrolls from the village. Many days and nights he would study the mysteries of the ancient language, which he was being taught, of astronomy and many other wonders that few besides the elves have the time to dwell on. He practiced sword and bowmanship and became adapt in both. Emiryal favored using two swords rather than one. He found a shield bulky and a second sword to deflect blows was just as effective for him.
In time he showed he had the ability to use magic as most elves do. When he discovered this he had been high in the branches of an ancient tree studying the twinkling stars. As he climbed down he slipped and fell. Hitting branches on the way down he broke his arm. He was afraid he would die when he struck the earth and there was so much he didn't know but wanted to learn before he died and entered the void. It was in that moment he reached to his magic for the first time and he came to a halt a foot above the ground. Startled by the drain of energy he felt from the spell he released it and thudded to the ground.
Thereafter his studies expanded to include magic and shielding one's mind from others. In shielding his mind he flourished and with much practice he could block attacks on his mind with ease. In the study of spells he felt short and for decades he strove to fix that flaw. By the end of his tenth decade of life he had a good grasp on spells but not necessarily the strength to maintain a spell for too long.
Not more than half a decade later began the Fall of the Riders. By now Emiryal's childhood interest had waned in them. He desired none of the responsibilities or what he saw as restrictions the Riders had. However, as the fall began he remained concerned for them for they played a key in the balance of Alagaesia. So he left to join the fight against those who opposed the Riders. He fought hard against it but fate had already doomed the Riders. As the age of Dragon Riders ended he retreated back to Nadindel, his home. He ignored the wars and the smaller uprisings. For without the Riders he saw no hope in those skirmishes.
Emiryal again sought solitude within the depths of Du Weldenvarden. There he found and old tree of dark wood. One of the few left of its kind. The tree was like the Riders, once there were many, but now only a few remained and those few were not of the old order but those that followed Galbatorix. He stayed by the tree for four days. Then at last he poured his sorrow of the loss of the Riders, of the old tree and all that was, into a song. It was of haunting beauty both wonderful and despairing. And from that song he sung a bow from the tree and upon the bow were runes of the ancient language in red blood. And the bow he kept and named Manin, as a memory to the fallen Riders and to all that was and would be lost.
As the next two decades wore on Emiryal continued as he always had as if nothing had changed. But it was not the same, Emiryal was not the same. He left Nadindel and Du Weldenvarden again to aid in the small rebellions he had thought meaningless before now. As time wore on the rebels he was with grew thin as they lost many in the fights. Then in one fateful battle Emiryal was captured by the Empire. He was brought to Urû’baen, and he mourned the sight for he had known the city as it was in the Rider's time.
He was tortured and attacked in his imprisonment. He held strong and fought off the attacks on his mind. As a torment he was brought to the treasure room where the eggs lay. And to see that this was all that was left of the Riders. And there he would brake as a large black egg what seemed to reflect nothing hatched. Firern.
Neither he nor his captors expected this. They let Firern bond with Emiryal leaving the gwenyn insignia on his left palm. Then they took Firern away from Emiryal and when Emiryal still refused to submit they turned their tortures on Firern. Through their bond he felt the Firern's pain but it was the deeper pain and guilt in himself that broke him. It was his fault. All of this. Had he not come Firern would not have hatched. If he had submitted Firern would not have been harmed. It was then that he broke and gave up all that he was and had been.
Seizing the moment his captors attacked his mind and he let them in for Firern's sake. It was one of the actions he would regret forever. His captors were fierce and they ravened his mind leaving no corner untouched. The pain they caused him was near intolerable and he might have gone mad from it if it were not for Firern.
Even as they finished their attack on them he and Firern swore alliance to the Empire, swore to never aid the rebellions and many more promises all binding and all in the ancient language. And then to his dismay they discerned his true name and further bound him to the Empire so that he may never leave. Not long after Firern's true name was found and the same was he bound. It is to this where their sorrow and despair lies. For they may never leave the Empire, but by death and even that they had to swear to avoid at all costs.
And thereafter he served the Empire with Firern. He was told to train in some of the ways of the Riders. So he did for it was the Empire's bidding and he must obey. And he obtained Domia and Ebrithil, which meant dominance and master. For he and Firern were dominated with sorrow and were masters of misery.
Firern grew and in time they became a mighty pair; and still they answered to the Empire and will forever more. With a grimness they accept their orders and fill them as pleases the Empire but they take no glory or joy in doing so, for their freedom and even identity are not theirs.
Firern Terrvor
Other name: Malthinae Zar'roc (confined misery)
Race: Dragon
Side: Empire
Age: 6 months
Gender: Male
Birthplace: Urû’baen (Empire)
Appearance: Many might say that besides size and color dragons look all look about the same, but there they are wrong. As only the Riders and perhaps the elves know each dragon is different from the others of it's kind.
Black glossy scales cover Firern. And like Domia and Ebrithil, which were made using his color, his scales seem to a dark as the deepest shadow and reflect almost no light. When looked at close enough his scales might appear to be a moving shadow.
His scales do not shine as brightly as those of the more vividly colored dragons but in the bright sunlight a faint gleam is reflected ever so slightly. This subtlety is something few but the keenest of eyes pick up. To most his scales appear to have no more shine than a patch of tar. His wings look like sheet of black velvet and when light shines through them they appear a dark grey.
The spikes near his face and running down his back to his tail appear to be a tarnished grey. Against the black they look the color of smoke.
His eyes are a brilliant sky blue. They stand out in stark contrast against his black scales. His eyes reflect a pride, sorrow and a deadly rage. Any besides Emiryal and those under them Empire's flag usually don't get to ponder the emotions in Firern's gaze for long before they are engulfed in dark flames or crushed by teeth and claw.
His size is of a dragon of one year. Due to the tampering of the Empire he nearly doubled in size in a dragon of his age normally his. The Empire had made Emiryal do it himself to his own dragon. It was much to Emiryal's dismay but he had sworn allegiance to the Empire and could not refuse. Emiryal was given an Eldunari named Isikal and Isikal provided the energy for Emiryal to do it.
In public as Emiryal does, Firern puts on a rather stately display of the might of a dragon and the might of the Empire which he serves. However, when alone this displays turn to anger and sadness and he morns for what he never had, freedom.
Where he hatched: Emiryal was captured and tortured in Urû’baen. As a torment to see what was pitifully left of the grand riders he was shown the Empire's egg chamber. Firern hatched for him then and bonding they became Rider and dragon. (see Emiryal's history for details.)
Personality: Firern has never known what it is like to be free. Before he even hatched the Empire had him. Soon after he was hatched he was taken from Emiryal and tortured.
From that experience he had learned to hate the Empire and he fears being separated from Emiryal. While he may be the size of a dragon of one year his mind is of a dragon of 6 months. And in his young mind he seeks Emiryal for protection from the Empire. However, that isn't something Emiryal can give.
His frustration and anger at the Empire falls stagnant. He swore allegiance to them and couldn't harm the Empire. So instead he often takes out his rage on those who oppose the Empire.
With his young mind he feels often intimidated by the Empire and on occasion Emiryal too. His fear of Emiryal is not that he thinks his rider would harm him but because of the elf's vast knowledge and in comparison Firern's lack of knowledge. The little knowledge he has it what he was taught by the Empire and what he can remember of Emiryal's thoughts.
He is hardly the social creature as his experience with other races is rather negative he only trusts Emiryal and to all others he either is hostile or neutral but never friendly.
His only knowledge of freedom comes from Emiryal's memories growing up. It pains him to think he will never know freedom for himself.
---Likes: Emiryal, revenge, freedom
---Dislikes: enslavement, the Empire, all other races
---Strengths: quick thinking
---Weakness: Emiryal, lack of knowledge
Family:
Uminbeir -- red dragon -- father -- wild (Deceased)
Sanabre -- green dragon -- mother -- Ridden by Tanatir (Deceased)
Not-So-Brief History: Firern's life although short has been anything but dull. His egg was stolen from the Riders by the Empire and stored in Urû’baen for decades. As many people came he looked into their hearts but did not hatch.
When Emiryal was brought before him he looked in the the elf's heart and knew this was fated and there he hatched. For a moment a suppressed hope flared in Emiryal's eyes as Firern and touched his palm and made the bond.
Before anything more could be said or done those of the Empire took him away from Emiryal. It was a cruel thing to take him away and Firern never forgot his rage against them for it. For they tortured him, breaking his wings, burning and striking him. He didn't understand why they did it. Through their bond Emiryal was forced to watch. When at last Firern felt he could take no more Emiryal submitted to the Empire.
If Firern though the pain from torture was bad he was wrong for what the Empire did to Emiryal while attacking his mind was far worse. Firern gave his rider what little strength he possessed and stopped Emiryal from going mad.
At last as the attack stopped and Emiryal swore alligance to the Empire and so did Firern. At the time he knew little of the ancient language or of the war. Without a full understanding of the implications he doomed himself to forever serve the Empire.
Not more than a few weeks later. Emiryal was given Isikal and ordered to increase Firern's growth. Firern did not understand but he knew of Emiryal's unwillingness even as the magic took place. And thereafter Firern gradually doubled in size.
While his body grew his mind did not gain any more knowledge than before. Emiryal and the Empire knew this and he was forced to study and learn. Emiryal, Isikal and those in the Empire aided him in learning but for as much as he studied he still knew less than a dragon of one year.
Once he was large enough to fly with Emiryal the Empire sent them out on various missions. Some were to suppress the rebellions Emiryal had once aided. Other missions were a simple as making an appearance to scare enemies or deliver urgent messages where magic could not be used.
Isikal Agaetí
Other name: Bjart Gülia (bright luck)
Race: Eldunari (dragon)
Side: Empire
Age: 60 years
Gender: Female
Birthplace: Doru Areaba (Voenguard)
Appearance: Isikal was once a glittering sapphire dragon. She was of a fairly large size and magnificent and terrified to her foes. Her amber eyes stood out against her blue scales and seemed to reflect the raging fire within her that she often charred her enemies with.
At the time of her death she was nearly a long as three houses end to end. Her massive wings were at least twice that length. However, her body has died and any remains of her are lost in the city of Doru Areaba where she made her last stand.
Her Eldunari is as radiant as her scales once were. It looks like a large blue sapphire disk. The colors shift ever so slightly in the light. Some even have said that they saw a flash of amber in the jewel-like disk much like the color of her eyes. That is merely rumor though as the disk remains only shades of blue.
Personality: Perhaps more telling than the appearance of her Eldunari is the touch of her mind. She is filled with a deep sorrow and a frightening rage.
In life she had been kind to her friends and terrifying to her enemies. She was proud and regal. She was afraid of no one and thought she was the one they should fear most. As some had observed she was rather full of herself and that might have even been the reason for her downfall.
Deep within that's who she still is, but the overpowering sorrow and the rage often hide who she once was. She morns for the death of her own Rider and for the fall of all that order. Her rage is against the Empire, for what they did both to her and her kind.
With a reluctance she must obey the Empire and help them in their foul doings. Isikal does not like the current war and would rather side with the Varden and their allies. She wants revenge on those who killed her Rider and more or less imprisoned her. However, she has no choice and must side with those she despises.
---Likes: flying, rain in the spring, herself
---Dislikes: Empire, self-pity
---Strengths: wisdom, Knowledge
---Weakness: being full of herself, lack of will
Family:
Beroan -- brown dragon -- father -- Ridden by Yalisar (Deceased)
Jura -- turquoise dragon -- mother -- Ridden by Nalne (Deceased)
Not-So-Brief History: Isikal was born when the Rider's were at their highest point. When she hatched she bonded to her Rider, Obaine. She was rather rebellious and full of herself. She always thought she knew best even when logic and wisdom said other wise.
Over the years she became wiser and Obaine and Isikal made a fearsome pair. They often won battles they partook in. As the fall of the Riders began Isikal thought little of it for how could the Riders possibly fall, let alone her.
When the foresworn attacked Doru Areaba she was there and defended it. As long and hard as she and Obaine fought it was not enough. Her Rider was slain. Enraged she attacked without any caution and was slain as well. In her last moments she withdrew into her Eldunari. For if she survived she might have the chance to get her revenge for the death of her Rider.
But the Empire had other plans and took her Eldunari to Urû’baen. There her mind was broken and she lost her will to fight against the Empire. She was bound by the ancient language to help the cause she hated most.
She wallowed in the grief of loosing her Rider and her rage against the Empire. In part she lost part of her sanity and has forgotten her will to fight the Empire. She withdrew and spoke little to anyone. If her help was required she'd do it but she never offered any more than what was asked of her.
Shortly after Firern hatched for Emiryal she was given to them. She felt their sorrows and despair which seemed small in comparison to her own. She seldom speaks with either of them and instead dwells on her own sorrow and rage. When her help is asked for of them she gives them the energy and occasionally knowledge but little more than that.
Roleplay Sample
Excepts from Emiryal's history.
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The room was dark, devoid of light and seemingly devoid of all life except for a thin figure hunched in a corner. Even the spiders and vermin avoided this place. The dungeons in Urû’baen seemed to keep out most every creature and was a permanent trap those placed there.
Emiryal was sitting hunched in a corner. He had not the strength to stand or sit up straight. He wore a simple dirty tunic and trousers but had no shoes. His silvery white hair was messy and unclean. There was no water source to wash in and even if there was Emiryal didn't have the strength to do so. His face was gaunt and full of pain. Across his body were many bruises, burns and the mark from the terrible teeth of a whip. Dried blood coated some of his tunic from his injuries.
His head was buried in his arms as he leaned on his knees. He shifted slightly and inhaled quickly as the pain in his newest injury renewed from his movement. Emiryal had been brought here by the Empire. He had refused to tell them anything and so the torture had begun. He had been here for more than a few months and at this rate he'd be dead within two weeks.
Each time they tortured him it took all his will not to give in and tell them all he knew. But far worse than the torture was the constant attacks on his mind. They came at him at all hours of the day and night. When they tortured him they tried to use pain as a distraction to break in. And when he slept they tried to break into his mind. Each time Emiryal had fought them off. With the drugs they put in his food they had clouded his mind and made him incapable of using magic. The same drugs made it hard to fend off attacks on his mind. But it was getting harder and harder and he knew he'd either break soon or die.
Emiryal had almost fallen asleep, but he now stiffened as he felt his mind assaulted once more. He stared into the blackness around him and thought only of that. He could feel the frustration of his attacker, then another mind joined the attack on him. In his weakened state two minds against him were too much. He cried out as they broke his mental defenses and flooded into his mind. He continued to try and fend them off, but before he could they had reached into his childhood memories and found his interest and concern for the Riders that once were. Enraged he went to attack them but his attackers were already gone from his mind. What had they wanted? Just memories from his childhood? Surely there was more to it than that.
He didn't want to wait for them to attack again and if he fell asleep he'd be vulnerable. And so he stayed away through the long hours, just hunched in the same corner as his wounds throbbing and his mind was too foggy to use magic for any relief of the pain.
He didn't know if it had been days, hours or minutes that passed. But the door to his cell opened. The torchlight outside was blinding to him and he hastily covered his eyes. He half expected another attack on his mind but none came. "Get up!" the rough voice of the guard commanded. Was he to be tortured again? He had learned that not following orders resulted in punishment. So torture or not he'd better get up. He slowly got to his feet using the wall for support and still shading his eyes against the light.
The guard seemed pleased for no punishment came. "Come," the guard said in an impatient tone. Emiryal took a step forward and away from the wall to obey the command but lacking the strength he immediately fell. He stifled a cry as his wounds were disturbed and shot pain though him in unison. Surely he would be punished now, he usually was. His captors were unforgiving.
However, no punishment came. Instead he was helped to his feet by the guard and supported he made his way out of the cell. It seemed for hallways on end they walked. Torches lit the lower levels and a faint smell of smoke from them polluted the stale air.
When they had made enough turns so that he didn't know where they were or how to get back to his cell the guard stopped in front of a room. By now they had climbed a few levels and they stood in front of an ornate, heavy door. There was no handle on the door or way to open it that Emiryal could see. The guard bellowed "mor'amr." Emiryal felt it was something he should know but the fog in his mind prevented him from remembering what it was.
The heavy door swung outward and beyond was a simple room. "You believed once in the Riders," his guard said. "They are nothing now. They fell even as you will. Nothing but this is left of them." Emiryal was led to the only furniture in the room, a plain table. Upon it rested a few dragon eggs. If his guard was lying he didn't know. He'd been imprisoned here to long. If there were Riders still alive he knew not of them.
He mourned for the loss of the Riders and realized that the eggs were imprisoned just like him, by the Empire. One particular egg caught his attention, it was a black egg. He had almost missed it and mistook it for a shadow in the uncertain light of the torches. It rested on a red velvet cloth and was a smooth as any river stone.
Before he could dwell on the appearance of the egg any longer a loud crack filled the air. Emiryal thought it was the snap of a whip and cringed. But no stinging whip stuck him. In fact the guard with him looked as surprised as Emiryal was. Another loud crack and then a shard of the black egg fell to the ground. It was hatching. Soon a small baby dragon emerged. Like the egg his scales were black and smooth but his eyes were a piercing blue.
The guard that had been with Emiryal fled the room. Emiryal hardly noticed, by now he had extended his left had towards the dragon and as they touched he felt the cold icy touch as the bond was forged. At once he could feel the dragon's mind.
Just then his guard came back with others. One guard shoved Emiryal aside into the arms of another who held Emiryal fast. He struggled but to no avail. In his weakened state he couldn't free himself. The other guards grabbed the baby dragon and took him away. Emiryal cried out and pleaded for them to leave the dragon alone, for he felt the dragon's fear.
Emiryal was roughly brought back to his cell and tossed in. His wounds once again shooting pain through him in unison as he fell onto the floor. The dragon hadn't been taken very far he knew. He could see feel the dragon's mind. What was next was worse than his own tortures though. Though his bond he felt enormous pain as the dragon was tortured and attacked. He couldn't take it, they were doing this because of him, because of his bond now. He couldn't let the dragon suffer because of him.
"Please, stop, no more, I'll do anything!" he yelled into the empty dark room. No answer. He felt more intense pain and fear from the dragon. "Please. No!" he yelled. He went to the door of his cell and banged on it until his hands were raw. Then he slumped to the floor a pace or two from the door. "Please. stop. I'll do anything just stop," he wailed. The pain from the bond didn't stop but it didn't increase either.
The door of his cell opened and a portly man strode in. "On one condition," the man said. Emiryal gave no reply but watched the man. "Open your mind to us and swear allegiance to the Empire" the man said. Emiryal shook his head. He could do that he... He broke off his thoughts as the pain in the bond increased significantly. They had broken the dragon's wing he knew but not how for the pain was worse than just a break. This was his fault, he had to stop this.
When he regained his thoughts he looked at the man. "I will," he said. The man smiled maliciously and then Emiryal felt an attack on his mind. He resisted for a moment. The action cut him off from the dragon's thoughts. He had to end the pain the dragon was suffering so he lowered his defenses. The attacking mind tore into his mind with a vengeance. He cried out in pain as every last part of his memories were examined.
Sometime during the attack on his mind a spell must have been cast on him for the fog clouding his mind was gone. He knew the reason why and swore allegiance to the Empire among other things in the ancient language. Then the one who attacked his mind said his true name. From his memories his attacker must of figured it out. And from his true name his attacker further bound him to the Empire.
When at last it was over he knew a similar thing had happened to the dragon. He was allowed to leave his cell then and was brought to where the dragon was. Even in the short time it had happened the dragon looked terrible. Both wings broken and countless other injuries as he lay on on the ground in pain. Emiryal hurried over and scooped up the dragon in his arms and held him close. Firern. He'd name the dragon Firern.
~~~~
~~~~
Emiryal sat on a bed in a rather ornate room. Little remained as proof of his imprisonment. He had used magic to heal both himself and Firern over the days after they had sworn allegiance.
He was dressed in a white outfit accentuated with various colors such as green, gold and red. Next to the foot of the bed, Emiryal's bow, Manin, was leaning. After swearing allegiance he had sought out his bow and had it returned to him. Emiryal had not been harmed since then and in fact he'd been treated extremely well. But it mattered not because this room, the city and even the world was now his prison.
A window on the far side of the room was open and Firern was perched on the window sill. Firern flapped his wings twice and nearly fell off the ledge. The small dragon was considering trying his wings out in the early dawn light. For he had never flown yet and the prospect terrified and thrilled him.
Emiryal seemed to take no notice of Firern and instead was inspecting two twin swords that rested across his lap. He'd been given them this morning. Being told nothing about their origin he assumed they had once been a Rider's blades from long ago. They closely resembled Firern's scales in color.
"Domia and Ebrithil," he said aloud naming the swords. If they had once had a name it had long been forgotten. The swords remained the same oblivious to their new names. Firern, however, gave a small growl of approval from the window sill.
Emiryal smiled. "They day isn't getting any younger," he said to Firern. "What are you still waiting here for?" he said. He set aside the two swords next to their scabbards. He strode over to the window and as he reached it Firern spread his wings and leaped from the window.
Firern glided down and down until he landed on the roof of a house some ways down. He looked back up at Emiryal, who was watching from the window. Then with great effort and concentration flapped his wings hard and slowly rose back up to the window. He was still young and in time would learn to fly with ease.
~~~~
~~~~
Emiryal walked down the hall with Firern on his shoulder. The dragon was heavy but still small. By now Emiryal had recovered his strength in full and only the slightest of signs told of his imprisonment now.
He stopped just outside an open door. It was a decorative room for receiving company. The decorations would have been fitting for a king. At the table sat one of the Empire's magic users. This particular one Emiryal knew was called Varul. It had been Varul who had attacked his mind when he was imprisoned. Varul had been the one responsible for all Emiryal had gone through. When he saw him he wanted to lash out at him, but he could not. In stead in inclined his head slightly and merely said the magicians name in acknowledgement. It was more than the vile magician deserved. Firern tensed and Emiryal knew if it weren't for their oaths Firern would've attacked Varul then and there.
"Firern is not growing as fast as he needs to," Varul said. Emiryal wanted to retort and ask how that was Firern's fault. No one could choose to grow any slower or faster than they were. He held his tongue though. "I want you to increase it with a spell. I will teach you the spell," he said. Like I want to learn anything from you, Emiryal thought. Firern's mind was still young and developing and so he gave no response to Emiryal other than a low growl. He did not want to cast a spell that would alter Firern in any way. Besides that he resented it because it came as an order from the Empire.
"And you will need this," Varul said as he stooped to pick up a bundle on a nearby chair. He held it out to Emiryal. The object felt like a flat disc of some sort. Emiryal paused as he was about to unwrap it. He could feel the presence of another mind. He paled slightly as he pulled the cloth around the object away. In his hands was a sapphire blue Eldunari.
"Her name is Isikal," Varul said. "She will help you and you may keep her Eldunari with you. Speak to her first and then I'll teach you the spell I require of you."
Emiryal shot Varul a venomous look. It was horrible to know that the Empire had even one Eldunari, though he was sure they had more than just one.
Emiryal reached out his mind to Isikal. Her mind was vast, full of knowledge and deep sorrow. Isikal? he called with his mind. There was no answer. Isikal, I have need of your aid. I have a task given by the Empire to complete, he thought to her.
A feeling of stirring came from the Eldunari. And who are you, Isikal said. And what is this task. Just get to the point. I'm obliged to help you though be it against my will.
I'm Emiryal and..this is Firern, he said. He hadn't realized it until then but Firern was listening. He didn't mind of course but Firern's feelings were overpowering. For a moment Firern was excited to meet one of his kind and yet sorrow among other feelings were mixed into it. The task is... Emiryal started to say when Isikal cut him off.
That's not what I meant. Don't tell me show me, she snapped. Emiryal was confused. It was Firern who understood. Memories, he said. Firern was young but Emiryal had under estimated him. On Firern's suggestion he shared the relevant memories with Isikal. It was hard to pick the ones that would show her who he was and what the task was, but with Firern's help he managed to meet Isikal's demand. I will help you in this task, Isikal said. And if you need I assistance later I shall give it but unless I am needed do not speak to me. Her tone was sharp and she was obviously unwilling to help the Empire. But she was doing so anyways. Emiryal thought better of asking her about her reason though. Maybe in time she'd tell him and Firern.
Over the next hour Varul taught him the intricacies of the spell. Emiryal as an elf knew magic from a young age but this spell was a rather complicated one. When he at last had the spell memorized correctly he reached out to Isikal. He was about to tell her he needed to aid now but was cut off when she said sharply I know. Drawing on both his and Isikal's energy he uttered the spell. There was no physical change in Firern, but in the days, weeks and months to follow the spell's effect would be plain as Firern would nearly doubled in size.
Password: [[Witch]] [[of Teirm]]
