In search of the Varden (Open)

[Cirtolthiel]

"Do you think I am an enemy? No! I would rather bary myself beneath the earth than serve the Empire."

Cirtolthiel sighed in relief. She had seriously been debating the intentions of these two. Relaxed, her hand dropped from her sword hilt. She thought carefully.

"And I am of the same opinion," Cirtolthiel told them. These were kind of people the Varden needed. Strong-willed, courageous fighters. She allowed a small smile to curve her lips.

"As I said before, the Varden are hard to find. For months I have been in search of the Varden and join them, but if you are any example, then I may make my own rebellion, rather than join a bunch of people who do not know friend from foe."

Cirtolthiel understood Vedrit. "Master Rider, I was simply being precautious. Too many times have happened where a trusted friend turned into the enemy. I would be happy to show you to the Varden, if you allow me to," Cirtolthiel replied, nodding. "I am guarding the people that I belong to from being hurt by questioning the purpose of people. I hope you understand this." She fell silent, and stared down at her feet.

[Amerylis]

"As I said before, the Varden are hard to find. For months I have been in search of the Varden and join them, but if you are any example, then I may make my own rebellion, rather than join a bunch of people who do not know friend from foe."

Farid let out a low growl sound like a feral dog. He was begining to dislike this rider. "Would you rather have us unprepared. There could be Imperial spies out here right now and YOUR dragon just landed in the busy street in Aberdon. Are we supposed to just sit here and let you jeopardize everything? You could be a spy hoping to pull the wool over our eyes with pretty words... How much respect would you have for the Varden if they were unprepared" He screamed, his hand still on the hilt of the sword. "So do not disrespect Cirtolthiel because of a trait that YOU lack." his face had turned red. He began to wonder why he had lost his temper so badly, when he was usually level headed. Must be the heat... ,he thought.

He let his words mull over then sighed. " I hope that you will still join the Varden... They need a good fighter. And more importantly a dragon."He put his hands behind his back then turned to Cirtoltheil. "Please forgive me for my outburst. It is most unlike me.." he said in the ancient language. He bowed his head then smiled at her.

[Vedrit{(==)}Kelran]

Vedrit turned to the male elf "I heard that Riders are to be respected, and I have yet to know your name." He said, his voice icy calm, "Maybe it is you who lacks certain traits." he turned back to Cirtholthiel "Yes, I understand. I am just... I dont know, irritated, I guess would be the word. Please, take me to the Varden."
Sonya blew a puff of smoke at the male elf "Tell him that he should not be so bold. Or suprised. When we last met with other riders, thier dragons landed in the open."
Vedrit nodded "Sonya wishes you were not so bold or suprised. The last riders we met with had thier dragons land where ever they wished."

[Amerylis]

"I heard that Riders are to be respected, and I have yet to know your name.Maybe it is you who lacks certain traits."

Farid bowed mockingly, his head nearly touching the ground."Oh forgive me rider."he snapped back up and looked him in the eyes. "But it seems that you came here in search of respect and riches. I'm sorry but I have no respect for one so insolent as yourself. You looked to be just a boy... how old are you... 30? 35?"

"Sonya wishes you were not so bold or suprised. The last riders we met with had thier dragons land where ever they wished."

Farid sighed. Then turned to the dragon, inclining his head respectfully. "Because , Sonya, I have heard whispers of spies and assasins roaming about. It would be most tragic if the Varden lost one of their dearest allies just as they were about to join."

He turned back to Cirtolthiel. "I beleive we are ready, Citholthiel Svit-cona." He blushed red after realising that he could have just made a fool of himself or ,worse, angered her in his tirade. He pushed that thought away and searched her face for any sign of anger.

[Cirtolthiel]

Cirtolthiel frowned at Farid. Honestly, that boy needs to learn to hold his tongue. She certainly did not approve of his snapping but made no comment. Cirtolthiel then realized that Farid wasn't probably that old. In his fifties, maybe. She sighed, out of both exhaustion and relief that this whole ordeal was resolved.

"Yes, I understand. I am just... I dont know, irritated, I guess would be the word. Please, take me to the Varden."

"Of course. Perhaps your journey has made you frustrated...well, that is what I'm thinking, but I might be wrong," Cirtolthiel shrugged and smiled reassuringly. She watched Farid and Vedrit snap at each other again and just shook her head.

When they had finished, Farid turned back to her. "I beleive we are ready, Citholthiel Svit-cona." Cirtolthiel noticed him watching her carefully. She simply raised her eyebrows. Well, it appeared that they were finished.

"Then we shall go," she stated tonelessly. She turned on her heel and brushed past Farid while muttering, "You don't have to use such...praise for me." She paused for a second, and wearily added, "I am nothing but a messenger girl." Without waiting for a response, Cirtolthiel lead the way down the streets.

[Amerylis]

Farid raised an eyebrow and turned to follow her. He had to run to catch up with her, then found it easy to keep up with her pace."Did I offend you in some way? I am sorryu that I lost my temper with the rider."He said tilting his head in his direction. "It is unusual for me to do so. I don't usually act that way... I suppose I was trying to make a good impression on yo-." He stopped then shook his head. "I-I uhm.. mean on the Varden and the Queen" He thought back on her messenge girl comment the turned his head. "Being a messenger girl does not mean that you are of no importance. In this war information is vital. It could mean life or death for thousands of people. You shouldn't put yourself down like that." He reached over and patted her shoulder then quickly retreated, blushing slightly.

[Cirtolthiel]

Cirtolthiel didn't wait and look back. It was their problem if they didn't keep up. She strode on, and suddenly Farid appeared at her side.

"Did I offend you in some way? I am sorry that I lost my temper with the rider." He looked worried. Cirtolthiel blinked in surprise.

"Offend me? What?" she demanded. "Of course not. Why would I be offended? I just think it's pointless to argue over something that's not even that important." She shrugged, and met his eyes. Wow, they were bright. And green. Just like her own.

"It is unusual for me to do so. I don't usually act that way... I suppose I was trying to make a good impression on yo- I-I uhm.. mean on the Varden and the Queen." Cirtolthiel watched in amusement as his cheeks turned pink. She tried to hide her smile but was unsuccessful. I'm sure that's exactly what he wanted to say, she chuckled to herself.

"That's understandable. I would have done the same if I were in your position," was all Cirtolthiel could think of to say.

Farid turned serious. "Being a messenger girl does not mean that you are of no importance. In this war information is vital. It could mean life or death for thousands of people. You shouldn't put yourself down like that."

Cirtolthiel was quiet for a moment, thinking about what he said. "The problem is," she began, "Us 'messengers' are not exactly well thought of. We are-" she gulped, hesitating to say it. She resented this part of her job; the part made her work so hard and be disappointed every time there was no reward. It made her bitter sometimes...well most of the time, when she thought about it. And she always reminded herself that that was life, and she might as well get used to it. Even though she already had been for the past seventy years. "-are often 'cast aside' by people of..more importance." She looked away and fixed her gaze on the street while lengthening her stride.

[Amerylis]

Farid noticed her smiling. He looked down at his feet thinking she was laughing at him.

"That's understandable. I would have done the same if I were in your position." He noded mutely and played with his thumbs behind his back.

"The problem is us 'messengers' are not exactly well thought of. We are-are often 'cast aside' by people of..more importance." He looked up at this. She looked down at the street , appearing hurt. "People can be pig-headed at times. I know the feeling. being half-human makes me inferier to most elves. Yet I can still out-fox them in swordplay. Given that magic isn't involved." He spoke in the ancient language , not wanting to share this information with the rider who already thought himself to be above Farid.

[Cirtolthiel]

Out of the corner of her eye, Cirtolthiel had noticed he looked away. A sharp intake of breath escaped from her mouth. What had she done? She dove into her thoughts, trying to dig out any possibilities or answers. Farid's voice drew her out of her reverie.

"People can be pig-headed at times. I know the feeling. being half-human makes me inferior to most elves. Yet I can still out-fox them in swordplay. Given that magic isn't involved." He had switched to the ancient language. Cirtolthiel was inclined to do the same. She glanced his way, glad that he understood her feelings.

"Yeah...I don't know, it's just something that's always bothered me," she resumed back to her weary tone. Her fingers played with the fringe of her tunic, which was frayed from weeks of traveling. Being half-human... She almost stopped in her tracks. Farid was half-human?

Of course he is, no elf would pay attention to you that much, she sighed sadly. But still, he had overcome his deprivation and proved everyone else wrong... yet for a messenger, there was nothing anyone could do.

[Amerylis]

"Yeah...I don't know, it's just something that's always bothered me,"
His green eyes flickered to her for a brief second . She had slowed her pace, obviously just catching he was not of pure elvish decent. "Well there must be something your better at than most people..."He said, trying his best to make her feel better. He dropped his hands to his side , slightly grazing her's. He made no motion to move his hand, but wanting to see her reaction. He looked back in the rider's direction hoping he wasn't watching them.

[Cirtolthiel]

"Well there must be something your better at than most people..."

"Maybe...I don't know what though." The only thing that came to Cirtolthiel's mind was combat. Her swordsmanship and her archery. She was exceptional at both, but she wasn't the best. But maybe that was okay. You don't have to be the best to be content with who you are, her father had once told her. She felt a little better.

Cirtolthiel felt something brush against her arm, which nearly made her jump. She hadn't expected it. She glanced down and saw that it was Farid's hand. Cirtolthiel raised her eyebrows but did not look at Farid. But she kept her hand where it was, allowing hers to feel his.

Careful about what you're getting yourself into... she reminded herself. Her mind suddenly jumped to the Rider following them. She had completely forgotten about him. She almost whipped her hand away, but halted herself. Hey, what the heck. Let's see where this goes, she thought.

[Amerylis]

"Maybe...I don't know what though."

He felt her hand twitch under his. She was obviously suprised. He smiled noticing she hadn't taken it away. He crossed his finger's with her's ,holding her hand"Well... You-Your exceptinal beauty could put many to shame." He said immidiatly regretting saying that because she would know that it wasn't a lie since he was speaking in the ancient tounge. He turned a scarlet red, from telling her what he thought of her. "And they must call you Fleetfoot for a reason."He added quickly.

[Cirtolthiel]

Cirtolthiel felt Farid's warm hand hold hers. She felt her face blush and her hand slightly twitch.

"Well... You-Your exceptional beauty could put many to shame." Cirtolthiel nearly tripped.

"Why, um...thank you," she squeaked. And he says it in the ancient language too! Yes, it was probably wise that she had accepted his compliment, rather than denying it.

Farid quickly added, "And they must call you Fleetfoot for a reason."

"Oh, well...wait, how did you know that?" Cirtolthiel looked at him in amazement. She gripped his hand tightly.

[Amerylis]

He moved his hand to catch her as she almost fell, but she regained her composer.

"Oh, well...wait, how did you know that?"

Farid looked at her. "You said that you were Cirtoltheil Fleetfoot when you were introducing yourself..."He said, running his other hand through his hair. A few strands fell in his face. He squeesed her hand as she sqeesed his. He looked back to the Rider, who hopefully wasn't enjoying watching Farid embarres himself to much. He straightened up and looked around. "Are we almost there?" He asked.

[Vedrit{(==)}Kelran]

Vedrit wasnt blind, but he wasnt rude either. He gave them thier privacy, or as much as a couple could get in public with a dragon following them. At least Vedrit didnt say anything or watch them. I busied himself instead with memorizing where they were going, what they past, and what was going on around him, other than Cirtoltheil and Farid.
"Are we almost there?" Vedrit snapped his attention back to Cirtoltheil and Farid when this was said.
"Yes, my feet are beggining to stumble over them selves from all of this walking. Is our destination near?" He asked, pulling up along side Cirtoltheil, "And I apologize if I was rude earlyer. I am not usually that talkative." He said quietly to her.

[Amerylis]

Farid reluctantly dropped Cirtolthiel's hand as Verdit came around.. He ran his hand through his hair agian, a sign of being nervous. He crossed his arms in order to prevent them from going back to her's.

Yes, my feet are beggining to stumble over them selves from all of this walking. Is our destination near? And I apologize if I was rude earlyer. I am not usually that talkative."

Farid nodded. "As do I. Something must have come over me. Possibly the heat."He said a bright crimson color. He extended his hand. "Truce?" He gave the rider a slight smirk.

[Cirtolthiel]

Cirtolthiel quickly let go of Farid's hand when Verdrit had pulled up next to her. "Are we almost there?"

She returned to her businesslike tone. "Yes, down this way," she said, and turned into a darker alley. She walked ahead until they came to an opening, where tents were splayed all around. She couldn't remember why she had wandered so far from the Varden's place. Had I really walked this far?

Cirtolthiel wound her way around them, and found a stony building. A guard was posted outside the doorway. He gave her an inquiring look.

"Elven messenger," she said. She gestured to her tunic with the gold stripe. The guard nodded. "I have brought a Rider to the Council. And, another elf." Looking behind her, she motioned the others to come.

[Vedrit{(==)}Kelran]

Vedrit shook Farids hand "Agreed."
As they turned down an alley, Vedrit made sure to make note of which one it was. He let out a sigh of relief to be out of the hot sun. But he was quickly dissapointed when they stepped into yet another open area. 'Well, if there is any trouble, atleast Sonya can get here and we can get out.' He thought, though he would much rather be in the shade.
He followed Cirtolthiel, behind Farid, wondering what the Varden would do. Laugh, because they have many riders? Nearly all the riders Vedrit had come across had some affiliation with the Varden. Would they greet him with open arms, then send him with countell volunteers to fight on front lines? He wasnt skilled enough with a sword or bow to do much good. Countell other thoughts buzzed around in his head.

[Cirtolthiel]

Cirtolthiel studied Vedrit. "You look troubled," she said, concerned. "Is there anything wrong?" She felt it was her duty to give assistance. She paused.

"If not, we can go right in. I suppose they'll want to talk to Farid first, because your discussion will take much longer." She guessed that they would send Vedrit to training in Ellesméra. But one could never be completely sure what the Council would decide. I wonder if Vedrit would agree to going to Ellesméra if that's what the final decision was. Then she suddenly smiled, remembering that the Council had told her to come back within a week. Wouldn't they be surprised she had came back later the same day!

[Vedrit{(==)}Kelran]

"You look troubled, is there anything wrong?"
Vedrit shook his head "I just wish there was more shade in Aberon." He said
"I suppose they'll want to talk to Farid first, because your discussion will take much longer."
Vedrit nodded "That would be fine. No sense in wasting time." He replied, and continued to follow