once upon a time. [cass]

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh stood leaning against the railing on a balcony over looking Dras-Leona. It certainly wasn't the prettiest city, in fact it looked rather messy and dirty. He winced as he shifted slightly. He'd been tortured as punishment for letting Emiryal and Firern get away. It had been a heavy price to pay.

He had healed most of his injures magically but there were a few he was a loss of how to heal. Galbatorix certainly wasn't going to tell him what spell was needed, after all he'd been the one to inflict it on him.

Soft foot falls grew louder as a servant girl approached. She held out a drink of mead to Murtagh. "Um, Murtagh, lor-...here," she said stumbling over what she should call him.

Murtagh nodded his thanks and took the mug as the girl departed. He was staying with one of the richer families in Dras Leona. It wasn't like they could refuse his request anyways. Galbatorix often stationed him here to keep an eye on the Varden should they attack the city. He tipped the mug against his lips and let the mead run into his mouth.

Thorn was sprawled out on top of the cathedral sleeping. He was there not just because it was a good spot, but to make an appearance. Anyone inside or outside the city would be able to see him there. That would hopefully deter any Varden attacks.

[[cass]]

It was like normal. Caspia and Amira were part of no group. They were not with the Varden, nor were they with the empire, most of all they did not fight for the elves. In fact they despised the elves, even though, Caspia herself was an elf. She hated them with a burning passion. She would never betray them, she was not a person who did that, but neither would she ever fight for them, or bargain with them. They no longer meant anything to her; they were in her eyes nothing. They meant nothing to her anymore. Amira shared the same views. She did not know the elves personally, but after everything they had done to her rider, to her partner, she could not forgive them. She could sense the ragged hole within Caspia’s chest, a hole that she had hoped would mend with time, but it never had. Instead it had seemed to grow bigger with the war. It was as though watching the elves fight and seeing them had just made it so much worse. Some part of Caspia missed them, she was one of them and she had grown up in that world before she had been wrongfully accused of a crime she had not committed.

It still troubled her to know that she had been unable to prevent what had happened. After all there was so much magic that should have sang with her innocence, that should have should that she had been telling the truth. Instead there had been nothing. And she had been accused. They fought for themselves, to keep their lives, they were part of no sides, they had no rules and no limits. They didn’t obey any of the rules. And it was that reason why they found themselves in the sky, in the empire. They knew they were risking a lot; it was not as if Galbatorix would treat them with respect and be polite, because they were not fighting against him. But then they weren’t fighting with him either. Yet there was something thrilling about flying within the empire and daring anyone to challenge them, you could not fly into the empire without expecting to be attacked.

It had been too long since either dragon or rider had had a decent proper fight. They both craved it. They both wanted it and they knew the Varden knew who they were. They had talked to them a lot; they had tried to persuade both rider and dragon to join their cause. Both had, obviously, refused. Neither wanted to make that kind of commitment, they liked their freedom. They liked the fact that they could fly into the empire for the pure fun of it. Just so that they could fight, just so that they could look for trouble and it was because they had no bonds or ties to either side. It is quiet today. mused Caspia. Her eyes flickered across the sky, there were no clouds in sight and they were clearly visible to anyone who was looking upwards. Her blue eyes darted left and right, her body relaxed, but her mind weary. Her hand gently tapped the pommel of her rider’s sword, Shyla, that blade was as sharp as ever and the energy within the confines of the purple diamond that sat on the hilt was astounding.

She had been collecting it for some time now and the level of energy within it was the most it had been for a long, long time. Amira flapped her large wings, her body gliding smoothly through the air. Her purple form never ceased to amaze Caspia, she was beautiful, but fierce and she was the strongest thing that Caspia knew. She gave her dragon an affectionate smile, her fingers rubbing gently across her spine. Time to look for trouble. Amira teased, her wings quickening as they sped through the sky.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh set down his mug on the railing of the balcony and surveyed the sky. It was a rather pretty day, he would've enjoyed spending it flying with Thorn. He had decided not to as he was still recovering from their punishment. A single figure in the sky caught his attention, unmistakably a dragon. They were to far away for Murtagh to tell if there was a Rider too.

"Thorn, we have company," he said waking the red dragon. Thorn bolted awake expecting an immediate threat but there was none. He glanced at the sky now seeing the other dragon. "I'll come for you," he said as he took off for the manor Murtagh was in.

Murtagh turned to go inside and retrieve Zar'oc, but hesitated a moment before snatching the mug and draining the last of it's contents before retrieving his sword. He tied the sheath to his belt just as Thorn landed on the roof near the balcony. The red dragon was no wearing his saddle but there wasn't time to put that on. Murtagh went out to the balcony again and climbed to the roof from there before getting on Thorn's back.

He held onto one of his neck spikes as the crimson dragon spread his wings and took off steadily gaining height before angling himself towards the other dragon. He roared in warning as he approached. Murtagh drew Zar'oc from it's sheath with a slight metallic ringing noise. He was surprised when they were near enough to make out details, this wasn't just any Rider and Dragon. He had met them before. "Caspia and Amira?" he said. "You made a grave mistake coming here." Thorn had begun to circle them but did not attack yet.

[[cass]]

Amira knew who she was, she was perhaps the most beautiful dragon, she was the fastest and she liked to believe she was the strongest as well. She was small for her age, and that often annoyed her. She hated her size, yet, she knew if she were bigger she would be slower, so for that she was grateful. Sometimes she did wish she was bigger, though, sometimes in a fight you needed to be bigger and for that reason Amira had to always outwit her attacker, using her speed to her advantage. Caspia always tried to make her feel better, to tell her that it did not matter that she was small, that she just had to look at herself, because how many dragons could say they were as fast as she was? How many dragons could say that they were as beautiful and as fiercely loyal as she was? It always eased Amira’s mind, she had it in her head that Caspia was somehow disappointed in her, in her lack of size. Everyone dreamed of having a giant dragoon, the biggest and the strongest, Amira knew this and because of that she believed that Caspia was disappointed in the small dragon she had received.

A flash of that worry had slipped into Caspia’s mind. She gave a rueful grin, before letting out a small weary sigh. It was as if every day she had to remind Amira how much she loved her and how she could never and would never be disappointed in her. Amira was everything to her and she would love every little bit of her, no matter what they were, no matter what they made her look like. Amira, you are thinking again. Stop that, you know I could never be disappointed in you. You might not have size, but you have speed, and when you are in a fight speed will always win. She let the words hang in the air between them for a moment before reaching forward and rubbing Amira on her neck. Amira began to hum, an affectionate tune that she reserved for Caspia. She would often hum, but she would hold of that sweet little song for times in which she wanted to say I love you, but could never find the words to say so. I love you too, Amira. She smiled warmly.

We have company. Amira flashed a quick image across the bond; a red dragon leaping into the air and picking up speed very fast. A faint, but nervous smile crept onto Caspia’s lips. She was always nervous when she heard of a red dragon. Amira shared no such qualms, it only drove her onwards. Her jaw parting into a joy filled snarl at her excitement. If it was Murtagh she would eagerly fight him, she wanted to make him hurt and scream. She hatted that silly red dragon; she hated the rider more so that sat atop him. There first meeting had gone horribly and it had wounded Amira’s pride greatly and any thought of losing again was one that Amira would never admit to. It might not be them, okay? It might be some other red dragon. Her response never came as the red dragon let out a loud bellow. Amira knew who that was and her answering cry was just as fierce and viscous, if not even more filled with an acid, like venom.

Unconsciously Caspia’s hand tightened around Shyla, the sword gave her a small amount of comfort. She had been practicing and training every day, for an entire day preparing for the day she would meet him again. "Caspia and Amira?" he said. "You made a grave mistake coming here." With that comment Caspia’s nerves fled her and instead she found herself giving him a cocky smile, her fiery red her tumbling around her shoulders as Amira began circling Thorn, just as he circled her. “Oh, but I think not Murtagh. It is good to see you again.” She gave him a sweet smile. Her tone polite and condescending. “You look a little… bashed up?” Her grin widened, her words teasing.

[Emiryal ♕]

A strong bond between Rider and Dragon was important. Thorn's and Murtagh's bond seemed to be forged though having only each other to turn to. They understood each other on a deep level, though Murtagh felt like Thorn knew him better than he knew Thorn. The dragon often was the only would could talk Murtagh into doing something, or calming him when he was enraged.

"We can't let them go this time," Murtagh said wearily. "No, we can't," Thorn said sadly. Caspia and Amira had not attacked them yet but Murtagh knew if they could capture them he was bound to oath to do so. He wasn't allowed to let them get away, not unless he was defeated. He wished he would've had more time to recover before fighting but that wasn't a luxury he had. He was tired of fighting all the time, his whole life had been of survival.

Murtagh's expression remained serious and determined. In stark contrast with Caspia's response to the confrontation. Her response was puzzling, she seemed to be toying with him, that wasn't something very many dared to do. Most people avoided him and feared him. "I am well enough," he said avoiding the questioning statement. He wasn't about to tell her everything he'd been through and done to get bashed up. Besides Thorn he never opened up to anyone, at least not like that. Galbatorix took what he wanted from him, but that wasn't exactly voluntary on Murtagh's part.

"Enough of this, you've been warned," he said. Thorn broke the formation of circling and flew at Amira's side like a battering ram. His mouth open to bite her when the opportunity presented itself. Murtagh sung Zar'oc at Caspia when Thorn attacked Caspia.

[[cass]]

Amira and Caspia had a very strong bond, they knew each other inside out, they had no secrets with each other, and they had lived their lives together. Caspia was the only thing Amira had ever had, and Amira was the only thing Caspia had ever had. Both of their lives had been controlled by the need to just survive. They had suffered in so many ways, Caspia had been basically torn from her home, she had been banished and she knew that in the eyes of every elf she was not an elf herself. The few elves she had seen since had instinctively known who she was, most had snarled at her, their hands grasping their weapons, as though they just expected her to attack them. Each time that happened Caspia felt like some knife was being plunged into her stomach and they twisted it and twisted it until she cried, because they believed she was a monster, they believed she had gotten everything she had deserved. She was sure that in her home, they had removed her. She was sure that her name had been banished, that every record of her had been taken out of the Elven history.

Every time that thought ever touched her she would feel an unexpected pain. She had never cried because of it all, she had never ever stop hurting because of it either. Amira knew how much it hurt Caspia, and sometimes, when she knew the pain would become greatest she would gently, without Amira knowing draw it away from her. She would grab it and let herself feel it. She knew that Caspia felt it almost every day and sometimes it got so bad that Amira knew that Caspia could not handle it, so she would take it away. On those does Caspia would sit with her, some instinct told her what was happening, but she never said it, instead she just showed it in little things like a rub, her a hug, her arms wound tightly around Amira’s neck as she held her.

The last time they had meet Murtagh and Thorn they had gotten away, only just. It had been a painful fight; it had been a very bad fight. It had been the worst they had both suffered grievously. It had taken both Amira and Caspia a very long time to recover from it. Caspia drew Shyla, the sword glinting in the afternoon light. Her hand held it loosely an experts grip. Amira in turn tensed as she eyes Murtagh, her entire body prepared to move at the first hint of an attack. An unexperienced fighter looked at his opponents hands, trying to decipher what he would do from them, and experienced fight knew to look at the eyes; they knew that the eyes were the key to the fight. From this distance Caspia could only just see Murtagh’s, even her Elven eyes struggled. "I am well enough," he said. It seemed to be strained to her, as though he hadn’t wanted to say it. Her grin widened into a smirk, her white teeth flashing.

"Enough of this, you've been warned," he said. That was all Amira needed. Some people talked before they attacked, ending a conversation with the idea that they were going to lunge. Amira tipped her left wing as Thorn came at her. Thorn was fast, but Amira was faster, she dove to the left, a sharp tip that got them out of Thorn’s way. She then flipped off to the left, away from his razor sharp teeth. Amira, in turn, flicked her tail at him, it was like any sword, deadly and sharp, she did not aim for Thorn, but rather at Murtagh. Caspia raised her sword, instinctively knowing that Murtagh would come straight at her, but she also knew that both of them were going to attack Murtagh at the same time. Her sword went for him as Amira’s tail striked out towards him as well. ”Did you miss me, Murtagh? I bet little old Galbatorix was not very happy with you.” She smiled sweetly at him, her ice to cold blue chips.

[Emiryal ♕]

Thorn being larger was not able to pursue Amira in a tight turn. He saw her tail coming before Murtagh did and attempted to twist his neck to intercept the blow, and perhaphs even bite off the end of her tail. Glaedr had done that him him once. It was quite painful and infuriating. That had been quite a battle and one Murtagh and he had been fearful to enter. Oromis and Glaedr were Riders of old and even weakened were formidable. Had it not been for Galbatorix's intervening the battle certainly would've turned out differently. The scars of that battle still persisted both emotionally and physically. Thorn's tail was shorter than it should've been as neither Galbatorix nor Murtagh had been able to restore it.

Murtagh lifted Zar'oc in time to block Amira's blade and winced as the sudden collision of blades stressed his unhealed injuries. A mental warning from Thorn drew his attention to more danger. "Skölir," he shouted raising a shield to protect himself from the onslaught. The move was well executed and planned, he gave them at least that much credit though he didn't say so aloud. As Thorn did not have his saddle on Murtagh's position was rather precarious. A good blow could knock him off of Thorn. Doing so would result in Thorn attempting to rescue him and having to provoke Amira into attacking him as he dove.

"Which is why it's good your here now. I can make it up to Galbatorix. How would you like to be a gift to him? Caspia the newest addition to the Empire Riders," he said mockingly. Thorn had pulled back again and positioned himself to ram into Amira again. As he begun his attack Murtagh shouted. "Brisingr!" and fire erupted from the palm of his hand into a jet stream near Amira. She'd have a choice of going through the fire or confronting Thorn.

[[cass]]

The fight made her feel alive, it made her blood bubble and her heart race in that way that only fighting could do it. She loved that feeling, with the adrenaline coursing through her veins. She loved the way her body could move in a fight and how she could tease and taunt her attacker. She loved being free, being able to do this because she wanted it. Most of all she loved Amira, and how both of them were in this together and how both of them wanted this and needed this. Murtagh would not get them, the last time he had almost done it. That had left them both shaken. But they were free, they were not bound to an evil man like he was and that was the way she wanted to keep it.

He had no saddle. That thought struck her as odd. It struck her as very silly indeed. It was not the smartest move to have in a fight. She scowled as her attack was blocked, but she felt it, she felt that slight tremor and she saw it. Murtagh winced at the pressure of the blow, whereas Caspia felt nothing. The blow was absorbed by her own arm, and it did not hurt. Amira let out an annoyed snort as he threw up a shield to prevent her from hitting him. Her eyes glared daggers at Thorn as he tried to bite her tail. She flicked it away, just in time; his teeth would have hurt her, had Caspia’s protection spells not been there. Unlike Murtagh Caspia and Amira had come wanting a fight and they both had prepared, protection spells were wound around them, whereas Caspia was almost positive Murtagh had none, it became more evident with his need to throw up a protection spell.

Caspia threw up a mental wall, a strong one as she let a few words slip into Amira’s mind, I have a plan, get me close. He has no saddle. Amira grunted in reply, Caspia wondered if she understood the full implications of what Amira wanted to do. I’m going to jump. Try knock him off, and then I’ll need you to catch me. If Amira was surprised she said nothing. Instead she angled herself closer to the crimson dragon. "Which is why it's good your here now. I can make it up to Galbatorix. How would you like to be a gift to him? Caspia the newest addition to the Empire Riders," he said. Those few words cut Caspia’s smile off for a second. It would be easy to leave now, before the fight really started, she knew Amira could outpace Thorn, yet some part of her wanted to fight, she needed this. Amira felt the same way; she roared in defiance, that brought a smile back to Caspia’s lips.

”Murtagh, if you want me that much, you don’t need to bring Galbatorix into this.” She winked at him, her voice teasing him, playing with him. She was not going to let him get the better of her, and more so, she was not going to let his words hurt her, no matter how cold they made her feel on the inside. He raised his hand; Caspia knew enough to know he was going to say some spell. "Brisingr!" He yelled. Fire leapt from his hand, streaming towards Caspia. Amira was not as close as she had wanted, but Caspia did not hesitate. She brought herself up and as the fire drew closer she leapt, using the flickering flames to hide her movement. Shyla was gripped tightly in her hands as she flew through the air, straight towards Murtagh, who sat on Thorn’s back.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh rolled his eyes when Caspia spoke. "Believe that lie if you wish," he replied. He had no feelings for Caspia or anyone else for that matter. The only one he cared about was Thorn. Therefore Caspia's words didn't even have the slightest bit of truth in them. Murtagh was here to defend the city and of course his standing order was to capture other Riders if possible and turn them into allies. Which frankly was quite a task, assuming the rider and dragon were captured breaking their will was difficult as was finding their true name.

Murtagh was caught off guard as Caspia struck him. He always maintained wards around him and Thorn, though when he was expecting a battle or fight he augmented those with more powerful ones. Caspia and Amira had caught him off guard so his wards were minimal. He found himself sliding off Thorn's side and grabbed a neck spike barely in time. In one hand he held Zar'oc the other he held onto Thorn. Painful though it was he pulled himself back up, the movement obviously was not easy for him through aggravating old unhealed injuries. He was kneeling on Thorn now Zar'oc held in a defensive position. Instead of striking with his blade he struck with words. "Malthinae! (to bind or hold in place; confine)" he said attempting to prevent Caspia from fleeing. If he captured her here and now Amira would most likely back down, she had before.

[[cass]]

As she leapt she raise the blade to strike at him. Within those few seconds she understood just how bad his position was, but in those few seconds it was nothing compared to the spot she had carelessly thrown herself into. She grunted as she landed on the dragons back, it felt foreign, different, so unlike Amira’s. She did not hesitate, hesitating right one would get her captured she had one chance and she had used it. Murtagh had slipped, and to her horror he had not fallen, his bruised and battered body had clung to the spike. She scowled in frustration, as she pulled herself up onto her feet, she could reach him – "Malthinae!” As the spell left his lips she leapt, she knew she would be too late, but she leapt. She jumped away from him and away from Thorn, the crimson scales beneath her turning into air. Then the spell hit her. It wrapped itself around her and she gasped, unable to move her body as she fell, as she slipped from Thorn and the ground tumbled closer towards her. With every little bit of strength she had she poured it into his magic.

She couldn’t hit the ground, she had to stop the magic and stop her fall. She was an elf, but from that height the fall would kill her and she wasn’t ready to die. Before their last meeting Murtagh had not been stronger then Caspia and Amira. Caspia was even sure she had been stronger than him, her pride and her need to win had let her get captured a mistake she wish she had never made and then after getting away Caspia had left weaker and in worse shape than Murtagh it had taken all this time for her to get back to her old self, to get back to that power that she had once had. This time around Murtagh was stronger than her. She could feel it, as her strength slipped into the bonds. She could hear Amira screeching, and she knew she was diving, leaving herself vulnerable to an attack from Thorn and she wanted to scream at her. ”Amira!” Caspia took a deep breath, focusing everything she had on the magic as her body continued to fall, racing towards the ground. She felt sick.

Then suddenly she could move. She wasn’t sure if Murtagh had let go, or she had done it, and she didn’t care. Blackness crept along her vision, the solid ground was flying straight at her, she raised a hand her last bit of strength fleeing her as the spell took effect, but she knew it wasn’t enough to stop her from falling, it just wouldn’t kill her. The ground raced towards her as she sunk in to the blackness, it wrapped itself around her just before she hit the ground. Amira saw it all, her wings tucked tightly to her sides, she was catching up to her, but Caspia was falling faster, she wasn’t slowing and Amira roared, fear making her move faster. She didn’t care that she was going Thorn a powerful advantage over her. She did not care at all. All she cared about was her rider, who in that moment collided with the earth. Her body hitting it at an odd angle. From this distance Amira heard no sound and she cried out pitifully, and yet she knew she wasn’t dead, the bond that they shared would have shattered.

She landed on the ground and moved closer to Caspia. She looked up for a brief second her anger masked by the fear and pain she felt. She spotted Thorn, but she didn’t care. Her eyes turned back to Caspia who did not move.

ooc -- [ okay so Caspia is unconscious, and basically Amira has given up. So the both of them are all Murtagh's xD ]