punishment.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

Caspian stood in his tent and unbuckled his sword and tossed it onto his bed. His hands shook with anger. The young rider had much to learn. He had been on a patrol that had spotted an Empire scouting party. he'd been commanded by the Captain of the patrol to stay hidden and not show themselves. But instead Caspian had attacked them thinking he could take them on and do damage to the Empire.

He had been wrong. He had fallen to enemy's blades and Sephora had come to save him as did the rest of the Varden Patrol. While they had killed most of the Empire scouts two of them had gotten away. Caspian had been injured badly but healed himself with magic. It was then that he realized two of the Varden warriors were dead from the skirmish. The Varden Captain had yelled at him for disobeying and returned to camp.

Now here he was frustrated and angry. He had only been trying to do what he thought would help. Sephora tried to contact him as she waited outside his tent but he wouldn't let her into his mind.

A scuffle of feet as someone entered the tent got his attention. He turned and found it wasn't someone but multiple people. Two fully armed warriors and a messenger. "You have sworn intelligence to the Varden, therefore you must obey orders. You did not do so and must pay the price for your insubordination. Just because you are a Rider doesn't mean you are above the law," he said.The message seemed to be something he was reciting rather than his own words. Caspian wondered if news of what he'd done had reached Nasuada.

He glanced at the soldier nervously and took a step back. "But I was trying to help, I-," he started to say as the two soldier grabbed him, one on either side. "I-no! Sephora!" he called

The light voice of the dragon entered his mind. "I can't help you Caspian...you did fail to follow orders and I am bound to the Varden by oath as you are," she said.

Caspian screamed and struggled to get away from the soldiers but was unable to breakaway as they carried him out of his tent and towards a clearing. Sephora followed but did not stop them despite Caspian's pleas for her help. He realized he should not have sworn alliance to the Varden it was binding in the ancient language and he was as trapped as any of the Empire Riders.

He struggled as they tied him to a post and placed a rag in his mouth, which he promptly spat out. They then stripped his shirt from him, leaving his back exposed and then he went ridged realizing what the punishment was. This had happened to him before...before he'd meet Sephora and he struggled to get his hands free from the ropes that held him. He wasn't going to stand here and let this happen to him again.

He was breathing fast as someone's voice rose above the clamor of the slowly growing crowd. "Caspian Tarlach, has committed a crime of insubordination against Captain Hendrik. This is not tolerated as we must work together if we are to defeat Galbatorix. Let this be a lesson to all," the speaker said.

Caspian heard the crack of a whip and expected to feel it on his back but didn't. The snap seemed to be a test of the whip. He closed his eyes and tears spilled out in anticipation of what was to come. The next crack of the whip was aimed for him and he cried out in pain as it split open his back. Then again, and again and again the whip licked his back leaving slits of red. Hot tears ran down his face and he regretted now having spat out the cloth he'd been offered. Two more cracks of the whip ended the torment.

The crowd dispersed in hushed whispers. Caspian seemed not to notice. A soldier cut him down then left him there. The boy fell when the ropes no longer held him up and he winced as he fell onto his now injured back. He knew he couldn't heal it with magic, if he did this would be repeated, but he was so angry with the Varden now and just wanted to cry. He wasn't a warrior he was a young boy who had been placed in a situation he'd never wanted.

Sephora approached him and lowered her head to look at him. "Caspian," she said sadly. He opened his eyes and looked up at her then with effort sat up and hugged her, wrapping his arms around her neck and then cried. The golden dragon stood still and let her Rider come to terms. She knew he could be stubborn, but he had never done anything like this before, she wasn't sure what was bothering him or caused him to break orders.

[Aelodil]

Anurin walked around the camp alone as it was too small to house the enormous bulk of white scales that formed Vanilor. He had heard of a flogging and decided he would rather not go. It was surprising how much the Varden punished their own in comparison to how many Empire soldiers they had slain. Vanilor had told him to go as they both felt familiar minds there with troubled thoughts but Anurin refused to watch yet another one to be flogged.

"Yes did you see te flogging?" Anurin heard two people say. "I hear it was nothing more than a young boy." said another. Anurin frowned and relayed what he heard to Vanilor. He continued to roam. He was glad of the extra space. He felt free and alive. Anurin frowned. Something wasn't right. There was no activity in the camp. He only heard the solemn cries of a raven. Like widows wailing over the deaths of their husbands. The air hung with misery. It seeed nature itself held a breath. Then the first scream pierced like an arrow through wind.

Anurin's head shot up and frowned. What was going on? A second scream, more pained than the first followed with a snap. Paling Anurin realized the flogging had started. Over and over he heard that youthful scream pierce the air. The storm had come, the silence gone. The animals were out. Anurin walked over to the flogging area. What he saw saddened him and angered him; the youth Caspian was being flogged. After the screams were over and everyone left, Anurin walked over and watched the Rider and dragon have a moment of peace before asking, "What got you into this mess Caspian? Also, give me permission to partly heal your wounds, as they aren't injuries a boy should hqve."

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

Sephora's golden eyes watched as Anurin approached. Caspian did not move but just clung to her neck like a frightened boy might hold tight to his mother. Caspian was not even 16 years old and under ideal circumstances he wouldn't be fighting in a war so young.
The golden dragon was about to answer for her rider when Caspian stood up using her to support him and faced Anurin. Fresh tears streaked his face and he was in obvious pain but he held onto Sephora's neck spikes and stayed on his feet. He was young but he was stubborn and determined. His back was laced with the licks of the whip in red welts of broken skin that bleed freely. He looked like he was about to answer then changed his mind and turned to bury his head between his arm and Sephora's neck.

The golden dragon raised a wing and curled it slightly over Caspian to let him be alone and less visible. She reached out with her mind to Anurin to answer him. "I'm sorry Anurin, but Caspian isn't--well I can speak for both of us," she replied. Her distress from her concern over Caspian was clear through her thoughts. "Caspian disobeyed Captain Hendrick's orders and got two Varden men killed and betrayed our position to the Empire," she explained. "He is only a young boy, they ask to much of him," she added.

She raised her wing slightly to look at Caspian who had not moved yet as if she were asking him something then lowered her wing again. "This isn't the first time he's been flogged, as a young boy he was for stealing medicine for his dying mother," she said. "He says he already bears injuries of this, before this flogging he had scars from that former time," Sephora reported. "He didn't say no though to you healing him. But please do heal him, I can't bear to see my rider like this." She knew he couldn't heal Caspian fully or the Varden would know and probably make him repeat the flogging. Partially healing would not be noticed though.

[Aelodil]

Anurin nodded as he heard the tale from Sephora. After what he heard he decided to heal te wounds mostly and remove the old scars. And if the Varden had a problem with that he would talk to Nasuada. As he wasn't sworn to the Varden, he could do what he wanted and he knew that Nasuada would understand his reason. And if they tried to flog Caspian again for his decision.. he took a swift breath, his hand instinctively falling on hilt. Then he would take serious measures.

As he had Sephora's inclination he stepped forward and gently turned Caspian to face him, gently cupping his head."Do not fear, no longer must you hide. I will be here--for both of you" Anurin said gently as he removed the old scars and healed the new wounds a great deal though left it a little. He did not want to have to act against the Varden, yet Caspian was still young and naive. He took it upon himself to help the youthful Rider and dragon. Then he turned to Sephora, "If anything else happens, send for me and I will be there. I ways will."[/i] He said gently and firmly

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

Sephora lifted her wing as Anurin stepped towards her rider. The sunlight through her golden wing gave a soft light that made everything look tinted gold. Caspian was surprised when Anurin came to turned him to face him. He hadn't asked to be healed, and Sephora hadn't told him. She knew he might refuse so she had not told him. As his wounds healed over Caspian gasped in relief and stood up a little straighter. He reached around on his back with one hand to feel it and found only minor injuries now. "Thank you," he said though his shock from the event was still evident in his voice.

Sephora bobbed her head slightly when Anurin spoke to her. "Thank you, I will call if anything else happens again," she said. "You've already done a lot for us with this simple act but if I may ask one thing more? Caspian's magic is limited and he has not formally been instructed in it's use...would you teach him?" She hoped that if Caspian learned to control his magic better he would not be at such risk in battles and with Anurin's help maybe Caspian wouldn't be so reckless and naive.

[Aelodil]

Anurin merely nodded in reply to Caspian's thanks. He was about to continue when he heard Sephora also thanking him and felt Vanilor, impatient to know what was happening. As he was asked by Sephora to train Caspian in magic, he flipped a smile."I will train him not only in magic, but also in swordsmanship. I will help him, steer him onto the correct path, away from being naive. Yet Sephora, you as well will be coached by Vanilor." he said soothingly. He felt the same way centuries ago, he and Vanilor side by side with Oromis and Glaedr each teaching their students. He sighed.

Plopping his head up as he felt Vanilor growing more impatient, he hurriedly helped saddle Sephora and helped Caspian up."We shall go to Vanilor and you shall rest. After you are well rested we shall begin to train." he said, a sure and commanding edge to his voice, telling them not to argue. After that, he told Sephora the directions and ran off to the south of the bulk of the Varden, to the large mountains Vanilor was attempting to hide in.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

"Thank you Anurin, you have my deepest gratitude," Sephora said. What little training her rider and her had received seemed largely inefficient especially considering who they were up against. Should one of the Empire riders face them in battle alone she doubted they would last long.

The golden dragon crouched to be a low as possible so it would be easier for them to saddle her. Before Caspian let the other rider help him into the saddle he hurried into his tent and put on a fresh shirt and buckled his rider sword to his belt. The old blade felt heavy as he was tired but Sephora had insisted that he get the weapon. He now sat on Sephora's back as Anurin spoke. "Train?!" he said incredulously having not heard what his dragon had said to the other rider.

Sephora chuckled and took off with Caspian clinging to one of her neck spikes. "I asked Anurin to train you...train us,"

[/b] she said. "You have much to learn before we'll stand a chance in battle." Caspian was not happy about it since he hadn't been asked just forced into it but he didn't have much choice now. Being exhausted didn't help either.

The golden dragon flew as Anurin had directed and found Vanilor. Her keen eyes made the other dragon easy to spot, though Caspian couldn't see Vanilor until she landed infront of him. The young rider didn't get off the golden dragon but just sat there slumped over from tiredness and starting at the large dragon before them.[/blockquote][/blockquote]

[Aelodil]

Anurin saw Caspian's slumped shoulders. The poor boy, he thought to himself. Not evem yet 16. He helped Caspian down gently and took him to the small hut he lived in, steering him to the table and sitting him down."I will make some tea. And perhaps some Faelnirv could help.." he said gently. He walked into the small kitchen and began making tea before grabbing a bottle of Faelnirv and then Vanilor said to Sephora,"Rest if you wish so. Your training does not start until tomorrow. In the meantime, enjoy whatever elks are left. They are behind the hut."[/b]. Anurin nodded and unsaddled Sephora, ploppig the gear inside.

Walking back inside, he put a few finishing touches and put in two loafs of bread for Caspian to eat and walked back. He put this on the table and gestured for him to eat. He as well took a loaf of bread and munched on it sparingly. As he finished, he placed the remnants outside for the birds and sat opposite Caspian. His emerald eyes wandering for knowledge. Searching. Then after an hour he reached out and asked,"May I see your hands? They tell me a lot about one."

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

Caspian had no idea what Faelnirv was, he had never really been among the elves. He was to tired to bother asking, perhaps it was a herb or something like that. He would ask later he told himself. He gratefully sank into the chair by the table and when Anurin brought him bread he ate it slowly. He wasn't very hungry but the food still tasted good. He wished there was some meat to go with the bread but he wasn't about to complain.

Sephora stretched when her saddle was taken off. She didn't like wearing it as she was starting to outgrow it. The saddle was a bit too tight on her but there hadn't been time to make a new one and she didn't want Caspian falling off so she wore it without much complaint. She helped herself to an elk, glad not to hunt for food and have to leave her rider.

Caspian glanced up surprised at the other rider's comment. That was something no one had asked him before. "Huh, um sure," he said holding out his hands for Anurin to see. His hands were rough, the mark of a farmer or former farm boy now. His Ignasia was on his right hand a golden sheen marking his palm.

[Aelodil]

Anurin put down his bottle of Faelnirv and held Caspian's wrists gently. They were rough and well-muscled. A farmer. Ah. This would be harder than he expected yet Caspian's eyes said otherwise. Handing him a bottle of Faelnirv, Anurin felt a little discomfort eminate from Sephora. Smiling, he walked inside and came out with another saddle that was larger than Caspian's old one. He removed the old one and plopped the new one outside."Consider it a gift." he said to Sephora.

As he re-entered, he informed Caspian that the training will not start untill they were wellrested. Helping him up, Anurin placed him in the bed near the window so that Sephora can keep watch if she wished so. He himself had no spare bed and therefore walked over to Vanilor who covered the mountains with his wings and there they slept.

(Imma wait til we all sleep)

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

[sounds good to me]

Caspian accepted the Faelnirv and took a sip of it. It was stronger than he expected and he coughed his throat burning from it. He choose not to drink any more of it after that. When Anurin came back from giving Sephora the saddle he dipped his head slightly in thanks. "Thank you Anurin. Sephora wants me to tell you she is in your debt. I wasn't able to make her a new one yet," he said sounding a little better from the minor rest and food since they had gotten here.

He accepted the help and lay down gratefully in the bed. It didn't take long for him to fall asleep. Sephora stayed near Caspian glad to be able to see him through the window. She too fell asleep but alert senses woke her up twice thinking there was danger. Both times there had been no danger.

[Aelodil]

Waking up, Anurin looked around him and found nothing but darkness. He frowned. Then he remembered where he was and knocked on the hard underbelly he was lying against. Rumbling, Vanilor rolled and moved his wing so that Anurin can get out. Going to his hut, Anurin first checked on Caspian who was fast asleep like a baby then walked into the kitchen and got tea started. He asked Vanilor to give him a little meat from a baby elk. Normally, he would never do this. But for a boy still so young he will give him an exception.

Cooking the meat, he added some bread, pineapples, apples, oranges, and many different fruits along with it all. Then while the tea was cooling a little, he walked outside and checked on Sephora who seemed awake and troubled. He pat her gently and said,"Do not worry, as long as I and Vanilor are here none shall harm you or your Rider."[/i].

Going back into the kitchen, he looked outside to find Vanilor have dumped an elk next to Sephora as breakfast. He nudged her slightly so that she wake up and in that small contact gave her some energy to refresh her. Walking out of the kitchen, tray in hand, Anurin placed it on the table and awoke Caspian, indicating the breakfast and tea. He himself took a seat and began eating.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

Caspian slowly woke as the smells of breakfast tempted him from the warm, soft bed. He sat up and stretched only t recoil as the scars of yesterday's punishment protested. Anurin had healed him but not completely. He turned and slid his legs off the side of the bed letting them brush the cold floor. Anurin was there with food and the young boy smiled and eagerly helped himself enjoying the meat, bread, tea and other food he had been brought. "Does training start today?" he ask somewhat hesitantly. All of his mentors before had made training rather brutal and it was sink or swim kind of deal. He hoped Anurin would be so harsh with training.

Sephora glanced up when Aunirin came out and spoke to her. Before she could reply he had left and entered the house once more. "Thank you," she said as Vanilor gave her an elk. She could hunt on her own but she was glad for the food being brought to her, it meant she wouldn't need to leave Caspian. She visibly flinched when Vanilor gave her some energy. It wasn't that it hurt but she was more sensitive to magic and the ancient language than most of her kind. Even as a hatching she'd learned the ancient language quite easily and had more energy than most would've thought she had. The additional energy gave her more than she was used to.

[Aelodil]

Anurin waited to finish eating and spread the remnants outside before answering Caspian,"Yes. The training will begin today. Though it may not be as difficult and harsh as you think it is.". Walking outside, Anurin began explaining and asking Caspian questions about Magic much of which were difficult for Caspian. He quickly exppained that Magic was the manipulation of energy. He soon sat down side by side Caspian as they began the first stage of the Moon and Crane Dance


Vanilor waited for Sephora then sent her an image of them both flying to the summit of the mountain. He took off, climbing what seemed to be to him a small pile of rocks. On their arrival to the top he began explaining the different kinds of herbs and which would help and which would not. He also explained to her many herbs that helped their fire while also explaining and showing how to use the tongue to help with the fire. On his showing her, he caught a flock of birds on fire that landed in front of her."Dinner is served."[/i] he said merrily.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

Despite Anurin's words Caspian still found the training difficult but not harsh. He had only unlocked his magic a month ago and had never had proper training in it, so it wasn't surprising that he got all of the questions about magic wrong. Usually Sephora helped him in magic, she knew almost all of the known words in the ancient language and was more fluent than he was in speaking it. The Moon and Crane Dance proved difficult for Caspian. Some of the moves hurt his back where he had not been healed completely. He was not as agile as Anurin. He'd been raised on a farm and that was strength not agility.

Sephora followed Vanilor and paid close attention to what he told her of herbs. She folded her golden wings behind her as they stood on the summit of the mountain. Surprisingly she looked quite a bit like a miniature version of Glaedr, though of course having all four legs instead of only three. She chuckled and ate a few of the birds, it was more of a light appetizer than dinner.

[Aelodil]

After a few hours of practicing with Caspian Anurin beckoned for Caspian to follow him as they went to a nearby stream and washed off the sweat of the day. After thay Anurin handed Caspian an elegant Elven tunic and he wore one of his old tunics. Anurin then unsheathed and blunted Andlat while gesturing for Caspian to do the same. Taking a fighting stance he gestured for Caspian to commence, his slanted eyes watching carefully."After this we shall practice with Sephora and Vanilor how to protect and attack with minds." he told Caspian.

Vanilor looked a his young student and gulped the rest of the birds. He led Sephora to a forest and explained the basis of hunting -- and the first and most essential rule: learn who is prey and who is predator first. Then he made a demonstration doing well for a dragon a large as he. Then he gestured for Sephora to do the same.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

Caspian accepted the tunic but hesitated to put it on. He had always been among humans, it was strange to be with an elf and be taught more in their ways. Normally a student would address his mentor formal, Caspian did not as he did not know the formality.

He changed his shirt for the tunic after washing his face in the stream. The water felt cool and refreshing.At Anurin's lead he with drew his rider blade, Naegling. It wasn't just any sword. The gold blade shimmered in the sunlight. It was non other than Oromis' blade. Caspian knew whose blade it was but had never grasped the significance of it. He frowned at the blade unsure how to blunt the blade with magic. He'd never done it before. He reached out to Sephora to ask her how to do it, as she was good with the ancient language but he found she was to far away to contact.

"I don't know how to blunt Naegling," he admitted after a moment of hesitation. He wasn't sure after sparring that he'd be up to a mental training spar. He knew elves were tough and he doubted he'd land a single blow on Anurin.

Sephora nodded. She had taught herself to hunt and was fairly decent at it. When you could fly it made catching land animals quite easy. At Vanilor's gesture she followed his size, she did extremely well almost impressively so. Where Caspian seemed lacking she seemed to be more than adequate, at least so far.

[Aelodil]

Anurin nodded in acknowledgement to Caspian's words. He strode over and took Naegling, showing Caspian the words and how to blunt it. Then he returned it and walked back to where he was. He would not attempt to spar with Caspian. He would first dodge until he learned his style then he would strike. He also explained the significance of Naegling and told Caspian how much energy it contained. Then he gestured for the spar to commence.

Vanilor nodded at Sephora's skills. They seemed rather well. He led her back to where their Riders were and he sat down watching them. On an occasion he yawned causing a rather strong tremor. After that he accidentally sneezed, blowing fire from his nostrils."Oops." was all he had as a word of sorry. He then asked Sephora to try and burn a few birds to demonstrate the heat of her fire.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of Sephora | varden rider

Caspian watched closely and tried to memorize the words to blunt the sword. He was surprised by the significance of the blade and was hesitant to use it now, it seemed like an artifact that he should put on display not to use. "Little one, Rider blades are strong you will not do it any damage by using it. Besides what other sword would you use? None other could serve you better than Naegling can," Sephora said.

Caspian nodded and took a ready stance. He darted for Anurin sword raised but was startled by Vanilor's sneeze and stopped short of the elf rider. "Sorry, he startled me," he appologized then slashed at the elf's gut though he doubted the blow would land. His style was somewhat crude focusing on strength more than accuracy.

Sephora watched Caspian until Valinor spoke to her. She glanced up at the sky waiting for a bird. As one flew within range she opened her mouth but not completely more like you would if you were whistling. The result was a beam of fire, intense in heat and accurate in size rather than a large area. She struck the bird easily, her golden flame looked darker than usual indicating a higher heat. The bird dropped infront of Anurin. Sephora felt her thoat dry and sore, she usually didn't use her fire like that and it had been a bit tricky for her despite how she had made it look easy.

[Aelodil]

Anurin easily parried the stroke, following it with a counter."Concentrate! Take your time to aim! And don't follow the blow." Anurin began yelling tips and advices throughout the spar. He himself though was untouched. He looked at Caspian's tired form and smiled to himself. The boy had potential. He continued the spar for a couple of hours, dodging attacks backwards nearer to the Lake so as they finished they could wash. Soon enough his foot stepped into the Lake and he swung Andlat, stopping it an inch from Caspian's throat. Then he unblunted Andlat and sheathed it. He then began bathing in the icy water.

Vanilor nodded approvingly. He continued to ask her questions of herbs and the rules of the hunt. Sometimes he would give her a scenario where her and her Rider had to fight another Rider and dragon. He asked her what she would do and what kind of maneuvures she would use to escape the dragon. Then he told her to fly high so that they could practice sifferent kinds of evasions, counter attacks, and attacks. After that they went to thwir Riders and Anurin asked Sephora,"What is the Moon And Crane Dance?". While Vanilor asked Caspian,"What herb helps your fire?"[/i]