Blown Off Course (open)

[Allaya]

“Come on Zanthia, show me what you got!” Allaya challenged playfully in her mind to the silver dragon that stood beneath her. Small for a dragon at only four months of age, but powerful enough to carrier her ride, the slender female dragon arched her neck playfully as she stood on the ledge of one of the mountains near Ellesmera. ”Be careful what you ask for,” The dragon chuckles back in her mind before spreading her wings and for a moment they flutter in the wind as a strong breeze catches the thin membrane. After a moment the silver dragoness dives off the ledge with her wings close at her side before opening them and leveling out in midair, leaving her rider clutching the saddle but not unbalanced. ”We did better this time!” Allaya exclaims, which Zanthia responds with a triumphant roar.

Suddenly a strong gust picks up out of nowhere. Startled Zanthia tries to level out but the wind proves too strong for the small dragon. ”Dive!” Allaya cries and Zanthia turns towards the ground the a silver arrow, and having no choice but to weave and dodge through the canopy of the tree tops she hits a few branches on the way down, causing branches to crack and fall to the ground. The pair lands with a skid, sending dirt and foliage flying through the air. ”We made it, are you ok?” Allaya asks, to which Zanthia stretches out her wings as much as she can and examines her body. ”I think so.”

Satisfied with the answer Allaya looks around, “I’m not familiar with this part of the forest I wonder where we are….”

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

A large black dragon flew over the trees. Firern was no where near as large as Shruikan the mad king's dragon, but he was fairly big, almost looking about two years old. His size was deceiving though as he was only half as old as he looked, literally a trick of magic, unwanted magic. He had less trouble with the wind than the smaller dragon but it still buffeted him and he struggled against it when suddenly the wind seemed to break around him and he flew down towards the rider and silver dragon.

"I thought you said you could handle the wind," Emiryal said to his dragon. "It was worse than I thought, give me a break," Firern complained as he began to descend. His rider had cast a spell to divert the wind around them leaving Firern to fly with ease. Emiryal jumped down from Firern's back, the elf had dark hair and seemed to be filled with complex dark emotions that threatened to burst out. "Are you two alright? And who are you?" he said. He had not been informed that there was going to be another rider in the forest. The elves guarded the forest very well, but then again Allaya was an elf too so he figured it was alright. He and Firern had been out for a flight when they'd spotted the other pair struggling in the wind.

[Allaya]

”Another dragon comes."Zanthia warns as Allaya swings her legs over the saddle and lands on the ground with a thud. Before she had time to reach for the saddle pack she had secured on the back of the saddle, she finds herself staring at another elf and larger black dragon. Out of instinct her hand twitches, aching to grab the riders training blade she had strapped at her side, but since the dragon and rider had yet to show hostility she stood there calmly. After a moment of observation she noticed his elven features and relaxed, believing that she had no reason to fear another elf.

“My name is Allaya Starsong, and this is Zanthia.” She greets with a bright smile and her icy blue eyes seem to brighten as she places a hand on the silver dragon’s shoulder. Zanthia arches her neck in greeting, even though she felt dwarfed by the larger dragon. “We are alright, thanks for the concern. The wind caught us by surprise.” Allaya ran a slender hand through her pale blonde hair as she spoke as if she was trying to fight off embarrassment. Even though Zanthia had just become strong enough and large enough for them to fly together and they were still learning to work together Allaya felt foolish being caught by another rider.

“Who are you?” Allaya flashes another smile that lights up her eyes.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal glanced away from the pair but only for a moment. He didn't like to explain who he was not really. "I am Emiryal Nyteshaed Laetrison, formerly of the Empire," he said. "We're in hiding here in Elesmera." Since they had escaped the king they had taken refuge with the elves and rarely left the forests for fear of being recaptured. Nor did they really like the Varden. "My dragon is Firern Terrvor," he said. "Zanthia seems rather small to be flying with you, no offense," he added. He'd been made a rider while he'd been part of the Empire and he had not rode Firern until he was larger than Zanthia was. But then again there had been magic to enhance his growth which made him large enough to rider before he should've been.

[Allaya]

“It is nice to meet you Emiryal and Firern,” Allaya smiles politely although when he mentioned he was part of the empire at one point a slight shadow crossed her mine, but she decided that he had said he was hiding from the empire she would give him the benefit of the doubt for now. ”The past is the past.”  Zanthia said gently, as she listened in on her rider’s thoughts.

At the mentioning on her size Zanthia looked at Emiryal and puffed out her chest with her neck arched as if a little offended that he thought she couldn’t care for her rider. Smiling affectionately at the dragon, Allaya strokes her neck before turning back to Emiryal. “We have started flying together only a week ago, she is strong and large enough. The wind just caught her off guard, she over estimated her strength and it doesn’t exactly help that her wings are slightly too large for her body but she is still growing fast so the rest of her will catch up.”

[ᗩпїra]

ooc; Hope you don't mind me joining in. I'll delete my post if you want me to. ~

A joyful laugh broke the silence, a funnel of wind driving the pair forward. Faster, and faster, they went, the two nosediving downwards with the speed of a bullet. A strong buffet of wind followed, making the thick Spruce below creek and snap in loud protest. The figure pulled upward at the last second, amazing wings with a thin dark purple membrane releasing themselves to their full extent to level out the large animal just above the tree tops. At last, a slim figure came into view along the dragon's back, a well-known elf from around these parts, known as Anira. The two had been missing for quite some time, due to the two taking a small "vacation" from all the terror in the land. As a matter of fact, Anira and Herion were just returning from the Hadarac Desert.

Herion, the handsome violet dragon with darker shaded stripes along his neck, back, and tail, set a gentle rhythm for the rest of the trip. The two were planning on cutting through Du Weldenvarden on their way to Ellesmera to stop by and meet with Vlaer. The two weren't sure if he was even in Ellesmera as the time, but it was worth a shot. Anira was planning on staying neutral, though she couldn't help but admit that she has thought about joining the Varden at times. It came across as the most likely thing to do in the situation.

"Anira, I sense the presence of others nearby. Shall we go check it out?"
"Minus well, someone could be in trouble, never know."
"True, true, but we don't want to get mixed up in anything too serious."
"Yes, maybe we could just fly overhead? They probably wouldn't even notice us, if we went high enough that is."
"It'd be difficult to see, besides, I believe we might recognize one of the Riders."

Anira let her mind merge with Herions to check things out for herself. Once she felt the soft beating of his wings, the beating of his strong heart, and all her senses being replaced with his, she tried to remember the name of the one that she was being familiarized with. Isn't that Emiryal and his dragon, Firern? Last time she remembered, he was part of the Empire.

"A lot has changed since we left, maybe he has left the Empire by now."
"That, or he's on a mission for Galbatorix to kill off the race he was born into. Either one is a possibility." A small chuckle of response rose out of Herion with this response.
"We'll be able to handle ourselves, little one. I am a lot stronger and larger, you have grown in heart and passion."
"We are forgetting that there's another one present. How do we know she is not with the Empire as well?"
"We don't."

Herion tipped his wings upward, taking the next updraft up towards the heavens. He gently beat his wings to keep up with the pace they were going, ducking out of the drift as soon as they were up to a decent height. Well, I suppose let's go check it out.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

(I don't mind)

"I meant no offense. I became a Rider when I was part of the Empire, and Empire riders never fly with their dragons when they are that small. I'm sure that you don't appreciate me saying that Zanthia, sorry," he said. The elf seemed troubled and in conflict with himself. He didn't feel like he belonged anywhere. While it hadn't been pleasant at least in the Empire he had felt he had direction in his life. "I'm sure she'll get the hang of it, it takes a while to learn to fly and well that wind was even a bit much for Firern though he's younger than his size suggests."

Firern was the first to notice Anira and her dragon. He raised the alarm for his rider and the elf glanced up at the distant pair. He felt nervous. He did every time they saw another rider, he dreaded that one day that rider would be one of the Empire and drag him back into that misery.

[ᗩпїra]

The growing amaranthine dragon outstretched his magnificent sails as he slowed to an abrupt halt before the the ones that stood gazing upon them in alarm. Herion had grown to be about the size of a modern home in about a years time, still considerably small for ones his age. He had faded from a light orchid color to a darker type of violet, lighter stripes winding down his neck, back, and to the tip of his tail were barely visible unless seen from a certain light. Herion flapped his large wings, folding them up and dipping his head respectively to the other dragons in his presence. He was, of course, familiar with the dragon Firern, but he took notice that the smaller one was just a wee hatchling still. Large enough to begin flying, though he wasn't sure Du Weldenvarden was the best place to begin flying training. Du Weldenvarden was quite windy above the swift pine trees. No one felt much of it down below because the pines blocked most of it from the touch; however, it was stronger and more of a chance when flying above, and it took an experienced dragon to navigate through the strong currents.


Anira slid off the back of Herion, using his foreleg as a hold to get down to the clearing below. Her colorless optics met the defiant gaze of Emiryal, though hers hinted a bit of inquisitiveness. She had taken the time during their landing to set firm barriers around her mind, Herion had also adjusted his till it was stronger and more fortified -- just in case a battle did happen to break out. Herion quietly connected their bonds, asking swiftly,"They do not seem to be with the Empire any longer, Anira. We would have been confronted by now." The elfin Rider nodded quietly in response, adding in for good measure,"Confronted, put in chains and shackles, and shipped off to the Empire where once again we would have to change ourselves just to escape the mind wash of the malicious Galbatorix. It was a harsh response, but Herion and Anira had been through hell for the six months before they disappeared.


"Emiryal, did you escape?" It was a small question, but there was nothing else to say until the dragon and Rider knew where his priorities were set. It was the question that decided whether or not there'd be conflict between the next few hours, or whether they'd make peace and really get to know each other, trying to forget that she had once been a mere slave under his past or present leader. Anira didn't take time to consider the other Rider, labeling her as not much of a threat thus far. Herion wouldn't have much trouble dealing with a hatchling dragon, if they dared to attack as well. Anira was quite the whiz at magic and swordsmanship, often handling her own as Herion went off to deal with other parts of battles. A neutral Rider wasn't expected to already be battle ready, considering a neutral isn't with the Varden, nor the Empire, but with the world and everyday life slipping through their hands as if it was mere grains of sand, it was supposed to be expected.

[Allaya]

(I don’t mind either)
Allaya keeps a soothing hand on Zanthia’s shoulder as she replies to Emiryal. “We are getting the hang of it, she just hurt her pride.” Zanthia replies with a snort to her rider, as if saying those words were untrue. ” Don’t worry, one day you will fly with the best of them.” The elf reassures her dragon before raising an eyebrow curiously at the other rider. “Oh? How old is he then if you don’t mind me asking. I was guessing around a little short of two years or maybe at two years of age from what I remember from my rider lessons.”

”Another rider and dragon approaches,” Zanthia warns as she moves closer to her rider. The silver dragon steps closer to her rider, staring down purple dragon and it’s rider. ”Calm, they don’t seem to appear us any harm. If they were an enemy I think they would come down flaming and sword at the ready to cut us down.” Allaya replies, which seems to settle Zanthia a little, but she wrapped her tail protectively around the elven woman, which seemed to comfort her even more knowing her rider was in her grasp.

“Greetings, I’m Allaya and this is Zanthia,” Allaya spoke brightly before adding, “sorry Zanthia is just a little nervous meeting two new dragons and riders in one day, especially since we haven’t seen you before.” She didn’t mention she was part of the Varden and kept that piece of information closely guarded in her mind, considering that these two riders could quickly turn enemy if they didn’t like the Varden.

[Emiryal ♕]

rider of firern | former empire rider

Emiryal's left hand tightened around the hilt of his sword or well one of them. He was one of the few riders who used two blades. He wasn't sure what to expect with Anira, but wasn't about to start a conflict unless threatened. He recognized her from his time in the Empire but had never known her well. Judging by the size of Herion he suspected he and Firern could best them in a fight if it came to it. Plus he had two Eldundari the mad king had given him.

The elf seemed to become more at ease by Anira's simple question. It implied she did not know of the doings in the Empire. If she was an ally or not remained to be seen. "We did, it wasn't easy but we are no longer bound to the Empire. We've been taking shelter here in Du Weldenvarden," he said.

Emiryal glanced back at Allaya and Zanthia, he smiled wryly. "No, Firern is only about a year old. His growth was pretty much doubled despite my protests...the empire made me do it to him," he said sounding a bit sad about it. The Empire couldn't just do it they had to make the dragon's own rider do it to the dragon.

It was best that Allaya hadn't mentioned her alliance to the Varden. While Emiryal wasn't openly hostile to them he still didn't like the Varden nor would he ever aid them. Being part of the Empire for a time didn't help his opinion of them at all.

[ᗩпїra]

Anira nodded slowly in understanding, optics finally meeting the perky ones belonging to the younger elfin Rider. "Greetings, Allaya and Zanthia. I'm Anira, this is Herion." She gestured towards the large dragon behind her, Herion repeating his last gesture to show he meant no harm. He strode forward to stand beside Anira, glancing at Firern with slight curiosity. It is great to see another fellow brother of mine has escaped from the Empire. Herion cast through the connection, his deep voice almost mimicking in Anira's mind.

She gave him a reassuring stroke along his beautiful luminescent scales, almost daydreaming as she thought of what would happen next. "What happened here? Is something wrong?" Anira could feel the strong power emanating from the belt along her thigh, hidden in a case where it could easily be reached was Orchid. The crystalline violet sword had a gem filled with energy along the hilt. Anira made sure to give it a little bit of power each night, scolding herself whenever she forgot.

Both Herion and Anira weren't ready for any battles at the time in the first place. They both had traveled hundreds of miles through desert to reach Du Weldenvarden. Herion's wings were sore and Anira was quite sick of traveling for the time being. Anira took a bit of energy from the gem engraved in Orchid's hilt, quite tired already considering it was midday. The pair had planned to make it to Ellesmera before nightfall, where they could rest up and get some fresh herbs. Anira mentioned in quietly after,"It is good to have you back, Emiryal, welcome to freedom."

Herion gave a swift nod in agreement, studying Firern quietly as something seemed to be off. It is quite sad that the Empire forced Emiryal to speed up the growth of Firern. That usually leads to complications, if I remember correctly. Anira cast a scolding glare at Herion, carrying across that it shouldn't be discussed at this time. Of course, it was a shame that he had been altered, but Firern seemed to be doing just fine. A dragon could adjust to the change quite easily, though forcing a younger dragon into a larger size means that they must learn stronger magic. They'd be lanky at flight at first, almost useless in battle until the dragon could control their powers. Altering is overall a horrible idea that the Empire believes will strike fear into the Varden. It seems to be working, nonetheless.