The Feast

[dannylam4]

Pike walked through the corridors and pushed opened the doors. He looked around at the sky as the sun as Forest came flying down and landed on the dirt ground, dust flying into the air as his wings flapped. So this is the place, huh? Forest asked, looking around.

"Yes, it'll work nicely," Pike said, petting Forest's side and looking around. "Nice open area for you all, plenty of seats, and the scenery works quite well."

So what are we even doing here now? Forest asked, looking at the partially decorated walls. We seem rather... early.

"Just looking around, of course. And we're a few hours early. The women and children should be returning with more decorations soon. They're pretty excited having nothing better to do around here."

And what is this 'here' called again?

"A stadium"

[Tavimh]

"There you are!" Vari called to Pike as she followed him through the doors. She was carrying three packages in different sizes, all were wrapped in brown paper. "Hello Pike," She greeted him, "And you too." She said with a nod at the dragon, she didn't know it's name or gender but it was always best to say hello.

"I brought your clothes and such." Andvari told the rider. Setting her other burdens down she separated one package, the largest one, from the others and opened it. Inside was a smallish wooden box, a long thin bundle and a wider one both in a cloth and a folded pile of emerald green silk trimmed in a earthy brown. "Would you like to see your weapons, armor, or feast clothes first?" Vari asked with a smile at Pike.

[dannylam4]

Pike smiled and bowed to Vari. He bent over and collected the other bundles on the floor. "His name is Forest," Pike said, looking at Forest as he stood back up. "Come, let us take a seat. We have quite a lot of seats to choose from."

Pike took Vari by the arm before she could answer and gently guided her towards the stairs, walking up the bleachers and taking a seat. Forest blew smoke from his mouth and began to fly around, performing tricks that Saphira was showing. "He's been practicing..." Pike said, watching Forest. Forest opened his mouth and let out a burst of smoke, create a large smokey cloud. He dove into it and became engulfed in it; when the smoke cleared, he was gone. "Wow... really been practicing..." Pike shook his head and looked back at Vari. "How about we take a look at that weapon?"

[Metri]

Jex sat on Draith's back they had been practicing flying techniques for at least an hour.

"This bores me Draith. What’s to do?" Well we could head to the feast. Draith answered his head shimmering in the sunlight as he looked around the sky.

"To the feast then!" Noticing how bright it was still Jex added. "Hope we're not too early"

After arguing on the location of the feast Jex and Draith finally arrived. As Draith swooped down towards the ground Jex decided to try something new and he jumped from the dragons back. It was only about a six foot drop but Jex couldn't remain balanced and he stumbled forward ripping his pants leg.

Jex walked to Draith rubbing his leg on the way. As he got near enough Draith swung his tail knocking the rider over. Don't do that again! Your not trained enough to try stunts. Draith said his voice was somewhat strict. Jex was about to reply when he seen Forest flying near by. Pike and a girl sat in the stands she was shorter than most so Jex guessed it was Vari.

Waving Jex ran up the bleachers towards the two.

"We thought we'd be the only ones here right now." Draith flew right above Jex his head was at the riders shoulder.

[Tavimh]

Vari followed Pike shaking her head with a slight smile, he sure was different. Taking a seat next to him she watched his dragon disappear completely. "I'd say... that's amazing."

She took out the small wooden box first and handed it to the rider. the set of three daggers it contained were almost too lovely to be a weapon with their silver wrapped hilts with matching emeralds, but she knew the steel blades were sharp. "The dwarves think that every item is a piece of art..." She explained. "but I assure you they are more than practical. Each one is balanced perfectly and they are nearly identical." Andvari pointed to the runes inlaid in the blade with emerald so flawlessly polished and carved it looked to be one piece with the blade. "That there enchants it to harm evil spirits like shades." She told him. "A wound from this would hurt a shade five times more than it would a creature of good. However, it doesn't kill them any faster or easier." She added with a reluctant shrug.

She settled her self and rearranged her skirts slightly. "I haven't seen such fine work made in centuries." She told him, she had seen many of the treasures in the dwarven cities but none had been made recently. "They truly pulled out all the stops for all of you riders. I'm just afraid you will need it."

Seeing Jex she waved to him. "I've got your feast clothes and such here." She told him and took the next biggest package from her pile. "Come take a look." She told him with a smile.

[Arya]

Arya had decided it fitting that she join the Varden for the ceremony... the feast, at least when it had started. Being a figurehead, albeit small compared to the riders, almost made it an obligation to appear. This point was particularly present in the Varden, with the inner political games always being played. It tired her.

But she wanted to go. The reasons eluded her, but she didn't try too hard to grasp them. For now, she was alone and didn't have to worry about others. The moment of freedom was painful, yet joyful all at once. As confusing as feelings were, she wasn't at all sorry that she had spent so much time around humans, learning their customs over her own people's.

The day, being a beautiful one, called for a light, yet modest outfit, which she fetched from the very few supplies she carried with her.

A small elven tunic a very light lime colour, so light that one could barely tell the green tinge, came on, as did a pair of matching trousers. They were extremely light, and breathed well, allowing fluid movement, while protecting all but the most adamant curves from showing.

Deciding against bringing a weapon, she slipped on sandals that allowed a lot of freedom for movement. Her hair she kept untied, and loose to roam her shoulders as the wind saw fit. She had washed, perfumed only slightly, and dressed for the occassion.

Still she felt as if she was forgetting something.

Shaking her head, she walked from her quarters among the Varden to where she knew the feast was going to be held. Already there were two ridersand two dragons present, as well as a select few others.

With her emerald eyes, she scanned the small group, trying to recognize faces, but failing to do so. She couldn't see the riders clearly, nor could she see their dragons. They were too far off yet to provide recognition.

She walked forward, no emotion making itself present in her. She was wisdom, now, in front of these people. She was concious of keeping her face stoic, yet not cold. She pushed thoughts of the past, thoughts of the present war out of her mind, and let the celebration take priority, though she was already planning to refuse the meat whenever it started.

With innate grace, she was upon the fest and the people gathered, looking from side to side, not in a searching manner, but as if solidifying the fact that for now, she had no worries. She didn't have to worry about her mother, nor if Eragon was in trouble...

Or do I?.. He will fend for himself for now... where ever he is, she thought, a small voice even in her own head.

She looked about from dwarves to humans, and noted the happy expressions. She pressed on, determined not to make herself stand out while she searched for familiar faces.

Arya was not usually one to do so, but she found it prudent in this case, knowing more about these human and dwarf feasts than many of her kind. There would be those who felt sorry for her if she sat alone, and, after a few meads, would try to befriend her.

Arya had little patience for them, so she decided she'd help stop it before it ever happened.

OOC: Wow, it's harder RPing her than I thought, especially if I want to tackle her personal thoughts...

((Wow, that was totally cool for your first RPing post on this site, I was afraid we'd end up with some n00b playing Arya. My fears are dispelled, awsome post. -- Ragond))

[dannylam4]

Pike looked down at the daggers and took them in hand. He felt the side gently as it took off a thin layer of skin. He looked at Vari as she spoke and nodded slowly. "Beautiful... perfect..." he said, not looking away from her. "Evil..."

His eyes widened as he realized what he said. "Er... heh, lost in my thoughts I suppose," he said, scratching the back of his head and smiling. He reached to his belt and unsheathed one of his makeshift daggers and held it next to the new dagger. "Heh, my daggers look more like sticks next to this piece of artwork. Can I take a look of the artwork I'll be wearing? Did you make the clothes yourself?"

Pike looked up when he heard a dragon land and heard Jex speak. He smiled slightly and waved at him. Well there goes our alone time...[/i] he thought to himself. "I was just checking out the decorations when our fine dwarf here ambushed me."

[Metri]

Jex reached them breathing hard. He was excited to see the clothes and weapons. He had never had anything made just for him before. It made him feel important and with those thoughts he smiled.

"Thank you, I might need to put those on soon I just ripped my pants." Jex looked around the area wondering when more would arrive. It seemed a group of people had showed up to begin setting up for the feast. He saw no sign of Forest anymore though.

"Pike we're did Forest go?" He asked the other rider who was now holding his new clothes and weapons. Draith also looked to the sky searching for green dragon. He saw no green just blue and white.

[Tavimh]

Vari shot a glance at him when he said 'evil', She smiled and shook her head when he explained. "You will have to watch yourself better than that around the elves." She warned him. "They are quick to offend." She told him brushing her hair back in place. "They are sill useful to have in an emergency." Andvari said shrugging her shoulders slightly. "Do you throw knives?" She asked curiously, "If you don't then you could learn with these.." She supplied.

"I just put the order in to the seamstresses." She laughed. I'm afraid I've been too busy to sew. Vari pulled out the folded green fabric from the bundle and let him see his new green tunic for the feast, it had loose sleeves as was the fashion slashed with a nice rich brown silk. She handed him the garment and pulled out the matching pants as well. "Your common day clothes are in the bottom of the bundle," the half-dwarf told him, "I got you three sets of tunics and pants."

"Ambushed?! Really now Pike." She laughed loudly. She opened Jex's bundle and pulled out a tunic done in silver silk that looked like it was liquid. "What do you think of your fest clothes?" She asked him holding the shirt up so it's minute gray embroidery showed in contrast with the sheen of the fabric. The winding vines and thorns framed the neck of the shirt and decorated the sleeves and cuffs. "You have matching trousers to go with it too." she informed him.

[Metri]

"I like it, I like it a lot. It looks way better than these rags." Jex said. The clothes set an even bigger smile on the boy's face. They match your scales perfectly! He said still amazed at the sight. I don't think I've ever seen better these dwarves are geniuses. Draith laughed. I'm glad you like them so much. Draith was impressed by the clothes too. Although he hadn't seen very many different materials and clothes during his life these were certainly above the rest.

I think I’m going to go look for Forest. Have fun with the rest of your gifts Jex and don’t forget to say thank you! Draith then shot up into the air.

Jex felt bad that he had not already said thank you, he smiled at Vari.

“Thank you Vari these gifts are greatly appreciated.”

[dannylam4]

Pike held the daggers between his fingers and looked around. He pulled his arm back and flung the dagger as it stabbed into a wall at the bottom row. "Yes, I think I can throw just fine," he said, smiling. He looked down at the clothes in Vari's hands and took it, feeling the fabric. "Ooooo, nice and smooth. I like this... silk stuff. And Forest... uh... well, I'm not too sure where he disappeared off to."

"Your common day clothes are in the bottom of the bundle," Vari said. "I got you three sets of tunics and pants."

"Common clothes? Don't you like my common clothes?" Pike stood up and dusted off his pants, a small piece ripping. "We have our sexy looking vest, our fine pants, and... well, that's basically it."

He laughed slightly and sat back down, taking the box from her lap and looking through his common clothes. Pike rubbed the soft fabric against his skin once again and closed his eyes. "Now, if you made pillows out of this, I'd love you for always," he said, laying down. "Though you could do quite a few other things to make me love you for always."

He used his feast clothes as a nice makeshift pillow as he rubbed it against his face.

[Vardy]

((OOC:sorry i haven't posted yet guys. had my bio finalk yesterday i had to study for. then yesterday i was too tired to post.))
Lira woke up the next morning and saw that the sun was already out. She looked to the blanket pile Eri had chosen to sleep on and saw he was still there snoring. She got up and went over to him and shook him gently.
'Wake up sleepy head'
He got up and stretched.
'So, what are we doing today?'
'Today is teh feast Eri'
'Right'
Lira laughed and walked out of the room, Eri followed her. They went through a few corridors and she went up to the door and pushed it open and the bright morning sun streamed through. She walked over to a stadium like thing and saw Jex and Pike were already there talking to Vari. She went over to them and Eri took off to find Forest and Draith.
"Morning Vari, Jex, Pike. How are you all today?"

[Niniel]

The last dream that Niniel had watched had troubled her greatly, and so, unable to fall back asleep, she got up and wandered the corridors of the palace for a while. She turned a corner and spotted two of the riders, the dwarf woman, and then her eyes fell onto an elf. Her eyes widened a little and she made her way forward, not paying any attention to the others in the area. Finally she stopped when she had reached her destination, she bowed her head a little and touched her first two fingers to her lips, "Atra du evariya ono varda."

She couldn't believe her eyes, it was Arya! So many years had pasted since the last time that she had spoken with her friend. Memories washed over Niniel in a flood as she stood in front of Arya. Coming to the Varden was better than she could have ever thought it would be.

[Arya]

Arya had been looking about, her mind wondering idly, as she waited for the feast to start. She had spotted the Riders, but had decided against introducing herself, until a more ideal time presented itself. What and when that time would be, she had no idea.

She heard the phrase and turned to see Niniel, an old friend. She hadn't seen Niniel in countless years, since shortly after she had begun transporting the dragon eggs between the Varden and the Elves. The time had slipped away from her, but now, seeing her good friend, it came back with all the weight of a fully-laden dragon.

"Kvetha iet fricai. Eka ai celöbra, svit-kona," Greetings my friend. I am honored. Arya put on one of her very rare, clear smiles. She hadn't smiled in a while, and found it hurt her cheeks.

"Where have you been? Have you joined with the Varden?" Arya asked, immediately refraining from her formal tone earlier, when she had spoken in the ancient tongue. It was a habit she found hard to break, even with her friend.

Arya looked over her friend, noting the slight difference in her face, in her demeanor, in her stance. She had suferred hurt also, and had grown much. Her skin, of course, had aged only as much as she let it. Being a fellow elf, immortality caused an eternally youthful appearance.

Though Arya was happy, she could feel a weight pressing on her mind, somewhere deep in the back. It was like a permanent depressant, making it hard to elevate her moods, and was a source of wonder for Arya.

Arya had no idea if it was just all the darkness of the past 75 years, or some wound that had been inflicted she had yet to heal, but she pushed it from her concious thought, and gave it free reign for her sub-concious.

For now, she wanted to converse with her friend, in one of the rare happy-moments of that time. She wanted to forget for one moment that there was a war on, a war that would take a large toll on humanity.

She loosened up, letting her back relax, and feeling a breeze pass through. She closed her eyes and smiled, listening to it, and for once in months, letting life take over her, instead of her breaking herself off. The meeting of the two friends caused something to temperarily shut off in her head.

It was different than being in Ellesmera, where she could almost feel her muscles always tensed with the worries of always having to be careful around her people. There were those that didn't agree with her, and those that worked their words into beautiful pictures that turned to snakes when one's back was turned.

No, here, she was free. Here, she could smile at her friend and talk. She felt happy.

[Niniel]

Niniel felt a smile spread across her face when Arya responded to her. She took note of the smile that was now on Arya's face as well, "Where have you been? Have you joined with the Varden?"

Niniel felt herself almost laugh; she could see Arya almost force herself to relax, but noticed that once she did, she looked happier than Niniel could ever remember her being. It was good to be around a familiar face for once, "Oh you know, my friend, I've been travelling throughout the Empire since you left to go your own way. My path has just finally led me here in search of my brother. So in a way, yes; I have joined the Varden, and will be leading Eragon and the new riders to Ellesmera," her smile grew wider, "It's really good to see you after all these years, Arya." She said and quickly drew her into a hug.

She let her go quickly though, it was rare that either Niniel or Arya would show such emotion to one another. But Niniel had felt something in her.. something that she couldn't quite describe. Seeing Arya had made her realize that it was possible for her to find her brother after all these years. Hope. It was hope that she felt for the first time in a long time.

"So how have you been? I've heard of all your travellings and some of what's happened to you over the years. From what I've heard, you've been through a lot," she said.

[Tavimh]

"They do make pillows of of it sometimes." She smiled watching Pike's introduction to silk. He was like a little kid in so many ways, it was endearing. "Maybe I can find a silk pillow for you before you leave." She laughed lightly. "No promises, but I can try."

"Now, your armor." she said tossing Pike a surprisingly light but stiff package. She had ordered breastplates, bracers, greaves, gorgets, and shoulder armor made for all of the riders. They were all made with a special steel, a dwarven secret in fact, that was amazingly light but still could deflect a cross bow bolt at twenty paces. There was also a pair of matching leather gauntlets for each and a gambeson. Pike's was trimmed in dark green leather to tell it apart from the other sets, on the center of the breastplate was a rearing dragon with wings widespread embossed in silver that shown brightly, the dragon had an emerald eye. His gambeson was a bright green lined with fleece for padding.

She found Jex's set of armor still in it's brown paper wrappings and handed it to him. The smaller set of armor was trimmed with gray leather, to match his dragon, and the dragon in the center had a rare black diamond, but even more peculiar was that it was transparent giving it a gray twinkle. "That's a special stone there," She told Jex seriously, "The master smith had been saving it for something special for more than a century. He is getting on in years now and decided that a rider deserved it; it's as rare as a rider in these times. Said he's only seen two in his lifetime." She smiled, Jex was still a child in her eyes and she had always been a mothering type. She handed him his gameson too realizing she almost forgot it. "This goes under it to pad it a little" She told him handing over the garment the color of goose down.

Andvari waved Lira over, "Might as well join the fun" She called to her. She gestured toward the packages strewn around her. Picking up Lira's armor she held it out to her. "Might as well see your's too," She grinned, it was fun to see their faces. Lira's was exactly like the other's only in her size with bright blue trim and a flawless sapphire eye that almost had a light of it's own. "I'm afraid this looks dull in comparison," Andvari shrugged holding up the bright blue gambeson for Lira to see.

[Arya]

Arya returned the short embrace, yet surpise flooded her face upon hearing her friend's business. She had known that the new Riders had to be taken to Ellesmera, but she didn't know that Nihiel was to be the guide, along with Eragon.

"You are to lead them?" Arya asked, somewhat bewildered. She couldn't expect any different, but she couldn't help but wander what was to be expected of her, then. For years she had been traversing from Ellesmera to the dwelling of the Varden.

She still hadn't quite gotten used to the change, after so many years of doing it.

"But forgive me. It is good to see you also," Arya said, her smile returning for a fleeting moment, while she contemplated what to say to Nihiel's rather complicated question. So much had happened to Arya in such a small span of time. She had been forsaken shortly by her mother for a rash choice she made to help the Varden. She exiled herself from her people for 75 years. She saw so many come and go, and she saw a young generation of humans grow old and die. She had been captured by a shade, tortured, and barely avoided being used for the lustrous will of the Empire's soldiers, only to be saved by a 16 year old capable dragon rider, who was destined to bring about change on Alagasia.

"Much has happened... If you are to understand it all, I must give you a condensed version from the beginning," Arya said, related the events of her life in small detail since her choice to be the courrier of the Dragon Eggs. Even with it being condensed, it took well over an hour.

"So, you see, the winds of change blow through our land as clearly as they did about the time of my birth. For good or ill, we all have yet to see," she said, not trying to be wise as much as observant. She felt it obvious.

"What of you?"

[Niniel]

Niniel listened patiently as Arya related her tale. Much of it seemed very hard and trying; being captured and tortured by a shade, she couldn't even begin to understand the pain that Arya had been through. When Arya finished her tale, Niniel said, "I am truly sorry that you have had to feel so much pain. But yes, the winds of change are blowing. As for good or ill, it all depends on which side you fight for," she said with a smile. She didn't like for the mood to be so heavy, and so the comment helped her to relax again, but she knew that the next few years were going to be hard for everyone, some more than others.

"What of you?"Arya asked.

Niniel responded in all seriousness, "My travellings are not even a fraction of what you have done. For many years I selfishly travelled Alagaesia for my own pleasure and ignored what was going on in the land. But for the last ten years or so, I have been searching for my elder brother. I have reason to believe that he is with the Varden, or at least was with them; so that is why I came here," she said and looked away for a moment, "I don't know what to think of the Varden," she looked back, "They are a strong group of people, but incessantly ignorant. They think that these young riders will save them in the end, and I don't think that they are up to the challenge presented to them. No doubt that they are all strong, but they are also too sure of themselves. But I suppose that only training will tell if they will be ready for the great task that lies ahead of them." She finished, her face set. She pondered what she had said to Arya and wondered if it was wise on her part to do so; after all, Arya was a very important figure in the Varden.

[Ancalimë]

Solembum padded stealthily toward the small gathering. It was unusual for him to be about so much, but recently he had felt restless. It was strange, how he and Angela seemed more different than ever. She was content to play around with her herbs and bones, while he was more interested in the future of the new riders. They were impressionable at such a young age, most of them younger than any other Rider had been before. Nevertheless, they were brimming with youthful energy.
He just hoped it would be enough to defeat the empire.

His eyes widened with curiosity upon seeing Arya. She hadn't been seen recently among the Varden. He sat down a small distance from her and the other elf, the one he had spoken to. He still had no idea what had prompted him to do that, but something had pushed him. The elf was strong of both heart and mind, and her past only strengthened her purpose.
He observed their conversation with his searing eyes. Elves were very amusing in their own way.

[Arya]

"The pain is in the past," Arya said, her eyes never leaving her friends face. She felt a brief sinking-feeling in her stomach, but bettered it with all the instincts she had used to better every other feeling she felt. It was bred into her, it was tortured into her, it was part of who she was, though she was determined to oversome it someday, when the world was right again, even for a short while.

Arya couldn't help but agree with her friend as she spoke. The Varden, despite the good cause they fought for, believed in the new riders entirely too much, as a teacher believes in his most valuable pupil. However, that caused a reliance that the Varden should not have ever formed. Reliance on that which wasn't reliable was a dangerous bridge to make, as it blew easily in the wind, and could collapse right under the Varden's noses.

"The Varden may be foolish for relying on the riders, but their strength will grow with their training. It is not uncalled for that they believe so highly in such powerful beings, but it is dangerous. It seems they have already forgotten the Foresworn too easily. Even the strongest individuals still fall at times, who's to say it won't happen again?" Arya said, relating all her most personal thoughts on the matter. It was difficult, as she mostly tried to stay reserved and observant, but now she could let go and think aloud.

"My mother will arrange proper training, and hopefully the training the Rider's recieve will only strengthen their resolve for the Varden. More than the Varden; their resolve for doing what is right," Arya said, knowing well that the line wasn't straight, and it blurred at times.

"We can only wait and see. Eragon will stay true, I think. He will be the most powerful asset, and we can count on him," Arya said, immediately perking her ears up. She turned her face slightly and felt a tug at the sides of her mouth, though it didn't turn into a smile.

"A friend," she said simply to Nihiel. A werecat had decided to gather in the midst of the quickly forming feast. The presence was mostly lost on the other individuals present, for werecat's were so rare that few knew how to spot one.

"Let us speak of this later, if you wish. For now, we should concentrate on other things," Arya spoke softly, and pulled her hair back slightly, as it had been getting into her eyes. Her face, once again, became guarded, yet not cold. She turned to face the new arrival, the werecat.

The day was quickly turning to evening, and with it moods around seem to rise. It would not be long before the congregation grew large, and appetites with it.