Finally Awake? (Open)

[Timmir]

On the edge of Ellesmera lies a small house. There was nothing of significant note about the exterior of the house, in fact, it look just like most of the houses within the elven city. The house is mostly abandon, and except for the occasional healer, no one goes in or out. To most passerbys, the house is just that, a house.

Within this house rests a single woman. A woman who has been sleeping ever since the fall of the riders so long ago. Her mind has become a battleground as she struggles to free it from the magic that has taken hold of it. Over the years, the magic has weakened from her continuous assault against it and, at long last, has loosen it's hold on her mind.

It was early in the morning as her eyes slowly opened. She takes a second for her eyes to fully adjust to light in the room before she looks around at her surroundings. The house she was in was really sparse on furniture, only having the one bed. Eventually, she decided to get out of the bed and investigate the house more, figure out where she's at. For her first few steps out of bed, she stumbled and nearly tripped. However, after a few more steps she got the hang of it and was able to investigate the house further.

As she walked around, she looked out a nearby window, seeing the elven city. Deciding that she much prefer to be outside then stuck indoors, she left the house to investigate the city.

[Brenton]

((Hmm Brenton is stretched REALLY thin right now...))

The song of birds rippled from trees and from by rivers while laughing sounded from seemingly no where in the forest but nothing could be coming from no where so where was this fantastic land where everyone was so happy and the world was so calm? Certainly it could be near the Empire land Alagaesia for no one was happy in that area but this land was only the neighbor of that cruel home and the person walking around knew exactly the difference in what happened there and here since he was part of the reason everyone was happy. The city of Ellesmera was rejoicing for King Brenton had come home and taken the throne when they were in need and now he was saying that once the war was over he would find a woman and they would start a family. He would also step down and give the throne to his sister, Arya, if she was ever to return but that wasn't why they were happy. The king had said he wouldn't force anyone into the war and that if they wanted they could go to their homes and stay there without fear of being drafted. This king was like no other king and that was why he had half the city at his door everyday trying to sign on for the war against King Galbatorix of the Empire.

Brenton quickly moved aside and tilted his head slightly as an older woman walked by carrying several items for woodworking. This was the woman who had made his bow the first time and she was also the woman who had said how he was a prime candidate for the throne. Brenton respected her and so he moved aside to let her walk by and then continued on toward what was going to be the dragons' nesting area in the center of Ellesmera. Many dragons were coming into existence and Grazael had brought up a good point. There were less eggs now and the dragons could find partners at any time they pleased but that meant they would need a large area to nest. So Brenton had been working on making the ten largest trees in the center of the city into a dragon home and now they were fused together and the trees made it possible for the riders to go up the center while each area had a cave like indentation where a dragon could sleep. This was a feat that none had accomplished for awhile and the king was proud of his work for that meant he had been able to help the dragons as well.

[Quetzal]

A month old dragon wove between the trees. His wings brushed the trunks of the tall trees around him, his flight limited by inexperience, youth and narrow spacing. A forest was a poor place for flying. The plants offered shelter and could hide you well, but it was very difficult to fly without rising above the canopy where anyone looking up from a treetop or the sky might see you. A larger dragon would have trouble just walking through the trees, but luckily he was only just over waist height, growth stunted somewhat due to being wounded by a Shade a few weeks ago. The elves had healed him well, but between being injured and reaching Ellesmera, he hadn't grown so much as he should.

This was excellent training for his agility, but the main reason for his speedy flight was fun. He loved flying. The sudden movements and the speed he was having to think and move at were exhilarating, putting a toothy grin on his face. Up ahead, however, he could see a space with fewer trees. Arlyn's brilliant sapphire eyes locked onto what appeared to be an ordinary elven house, much like the one he and his Rider, Isrydia, were staying in. He stilled his wings and glided over the house, closing his eyes and listening intently for any signs of life. Hearing someone within, he softly landed on the roof and watched cautiously as the door opened and a woman stepped out.

She looked like an elf, but also like a human, like Isrydia. Which was she? She looked more human than elf. Arlyn shivered. He knew of two people who were part elf and part human. One was Brenton, whom he liked but was wary of because of the way he felt about Isrydia. The other had been an Empire Rider by the name of Rerukusu, one of the first people he had ever seen aside from his Rider. The way he had treated his own dragon... this woman might be like that. He had no idea. Letting himself be known to her could be a bad idea.

Light revealed the blood vessels networking through his near-white wings as he spread them wide again. With a small jump he took off. He tried to remain silent, intending to follow the stranger as she moved further into the city. Could she just be another citizen? He had never seen her before, and close up, her house looked as though it had been abandoned for decades. Something just didn't seem right. His attempt at silence failed as he found his wings clipping trees in his descent from the rooftop. Giving up on stealth, he instead swooped low over Farore's head to land in front of her, standing on his hind legs and extending out his wings to appear as big as possible. He did not speak to her in case she wasn't friendly, but instead watched her intently with a curious yet untrusting gaze, dropping back onto all fours.

[Timmir]

Farore stopped for a second before instinctively turning around as she heard a rustling in the trees, but she just missed Aryln as he flew over her head. She looked completely confused as she shook her head and turned back around, only to see the dragon standing on it's hind legs. She took a few steps back, not sure what to do as the creature dropped down on all fours and looked at her.

She wasn't exactly afraid of the dragon, more of having an idle curiosity about him. For some reason the creature in front of her looked... familiar? She searched her mind to find out why, but she couldn't find anything to help her out.

"Hello?" She asked uncertain about what else she should do. The creature looked intelligent, and something in her mind told her that this creature was not a threat to her. At least, not yet.

[Brenton]

Brenton met up with a small problem as he walked to the area where the dragon nest would be, a month old dragon on its hind legs in his path. The king sighed and reached out his mind cautiously to Arlyn while contacting Grazael. She is a friend of the elves, as far as I know, Arlyn. Please calm down enough to where you can move so I can pass by. Grazael felt the wind change as he swung down and angled toward where his rider was. THe king hardly ever contacted the dragon on one of his walks unless there was something important to do so the dragon swooped down and landed next to Brenton.

[Quetzal]

Arlyn looked away from Farore as Brenton approached. He bowed his head in respect to the king and friend, moving closer to the stranger to get out of his way. When Grazael landed, he gave a happy squeak of greeting to the other dragon. He had known the golden dragon since he was a week old, when Grazael had first hatched, and so felt close to him. He trusted him and his Rider completely, considering them his closest friends aside from Isrydia, of course. William was a close contender, but he hadn't spent so much time around him.

Turning his attention back to the half-elf lady, he tried to think about who she might be. There was something strange about her, but he couldn't quite put his claw on it. The abandoned state of the house she had just left bugged him, although he knew it was probably nothing. Brenton might know. He was her king, after all, so might know at least a clue as to who she was and whether anything strange was happening. "You know her? Something's not right," he replied to Brenton, sending an image of her leaving the abandoned house behind them. He was still learning about the world, so there was a good chance he was completely on the wrong track and this woman would just be another friend to meet.

He decided he should introduce himself to Farore. Chances were he was wrong about anything unusual going on, in which case he shouldn't be rude to her. Very gently, he touched her mind. Since his intentions were friendly, he hoped his mind would not seem like an unwelcome intruder, simply a curious and cautious potential friend. "Hello. My name is Arlyn. What is yours?" he attempted to ask should she allow him to speak into her mind. His mental voice was like that of a young boy, childlike and interested in learning as much as possible about this new world around him.

[Timmir]

A man came into the scene along with another one of those creatures, telling the creature that she was probably a friend before asking him to move aside. Seeing how the creature bowed to the man probably meant he was a leader of sometype. She looked over at the elf curiously, trying to figure who exactly he is. Did she know him and/or vice versa? She couldn't really tell.

As she thought about this, a foreign voice suddenly entered her head claiming to be the dragon. She didn't know why, but this wasn't unusual to her. Was it normal to suddenly have these creatures communicate to you though your mind? As Arlyn touched her mind, he may have notice that Farore's mind seemed to have almost have a fog that blanket over it.

Farore thought on what Arlyn had asked her. What was her name? It should be a simple question to answer, but for some reason she just couldn't recall it.

"I... I don't remember." She said upon realization. Why couldn't she remember her own name? Why couldn't she remember much of anything?

[Brenton]

Many people walk through these leafy corridors upon many missions and I pride myself upon knowing them all by at least name. Why are you so much different elder? Brenton spoke in a calm but commanding tone since it was true he knew most everyone. The king looked at Arlyn and sent a feeling of confusion to the dragon. He knew nothing about this woman and it upset him terribly. My name is Brenton Bromsson king of this land and rightful heir to leadership of other groups so I wish to know all that you do.

[Quetzal]

Arlyn was startled by the feel of Farore's mind. It was still all there, but it was somehow fuzzy and muffled, as though someone had covered it with a blanket. What came as even more of a shock was her failure to recall her own name. He could tell from her mind that she was not making it up. The confusion was there, and he could feel the blanket of fog which he assumed must be covering a lot of her mind, including her name. He looked back at Brenton, understanding his confusion too. After he spoke, the dragon replied to all those present through their minds. He would have only responded to Brenton, but the poor girl was so confused he didn't want to leave her out of anything. "Brenton, she tells truth. But we help!" he said in his simple words, too young to construct any complex sentences.

They could help, couldn't they? His tail flicked from side to side as he thought this through. The fog did not seem like it would just be cleared. Yet there must be another way. They just had to jog her memory, that was all. Someone around would know her and would be able to remember her name, and her seeing them would probably bring back some memories of her own. Finding such a person would be a problem, though. How could they know who was significant in her past? Where was she even from, if Brenton did not know her? This looked more difficult than he had first though. "Where you from? You recognise this place?" he asked Farore, still allowing Brenton and Grazael to hear.

[Timmir]

As she tried her best to dig through her mind for anything useful, her attention was captured by Brenton as he introduced and asked who she is. She then heard the dragon's voice in her head telling Brenton that she was telling the truth. Farore didn't even knew that Brenton believed that she wasn't telling the truth. The dragon then directed a question to her, which caused Farore a second to think about before she answered

"I'm sorry Aryln, I can't say I recall where I'm at or where I'm from. All I can tell is that I'm in some type of city in the middle of a forest. As for your questions King Brenton, I'm apologize to say that I don't know why you don't know who I am. I'm afraid to say that I don't even know who I am." Farore answered as she shook her head, trying her best to hide her distress about these facts.

[Quetzal]

((Brenton, if you look at Farore's history, you'll see she was kept a secret and so everyone thought she was just a normal Rider. Time's passed, so no-one probably knows about dragon spirits and her, although I guess that's up to you, Timmir. Also, Kialandi hasn't been accepted yet... I know it's in the accepted board, but Nandon said it needed serious improvement and never said it was accepted...))

[Brenton]

((Okay so now that I am able to edit from an actual computer...here goes my second shot of this post.))

Brenton glanced up at the sky as he thought about the situation they were in for he knew basically nothing about the forest before he was born since he was never real close with his mother but one thing he remembered from her discussions when she thought he wasn't there. Islanzadi had always spoke about his father and her husband but there was one topic that overlapped when it had to do with them both, Farore. A seemingly normal name that had belonged to a rider who had lived before the Fall and when the Fall happened was brought to Du Weldenvarden in hopes that the elves could help her. Her memory had been screwed up somehow in a result of a spell and the elven healers hadn't been able to help her very much besides know she would wake up and eventually the spell would fade. This had to be that same woman for no one else could have eluded the king and been so forgetful at the same time. Yet something wasn't quite right about this situation for there had been some talk about this woman back when Brenton was just a speck of dust of her being an abnormal rider.

The king shrugged slightly and looked back at the woman, Farore, with a new idea. Farore, I command you as king of this land to tell me everything you can remember if you want me to help you in any way. I know you are Farore, rider of old who was brought to the elven kingdom at the time of the Fall. If you deem it necessary to withhold information then I deem it necessary to have my strongest spellcasters invade your mind for information. Brenton wasn't intending to be rude or cruel but he needed all the information he could gather and this was the quickest way.

[Quetzal]

Arlyn started when Brenton gave Farore a name. How did he know that? He looked to Grazael, cocking his head to one side, sending him hi feeling of puzzlement at how Brenton knew this information with the hope he might know where Brenton learned this. He could tell the girl was clearly distressed about waking up not knowing who she was. The harsh tone and threats were probably not ideal for the current situation. Brenton was king so he knew how to handle people, though, so Arlyn just left him to it. People were strange things sometimes. They could be mean to be nice to each other, and could fight when they all wanted the same thing.

Still, it was interesting to learn that she had once been a Rider, if what Brenton said was true. Where was her dragon? Even with her memory gone, she should be able to feel it. She had been around at the time of the Fall... her dragon must have perished. He felt a tinge of sadness as he realised this. The pain must be terrible. Maybe she had tried to block it all out because of that pain, which was why she couldn't remember anything. He wanted to help Brenton, so tried to play along with whatever it was he was doing without entirely knowing what was going on. "His words are harsh, but we are friends. If you want memories, it may take harsh methods. We dragons," he flashed an image of himself and Grazael into her mind, and considered showing her the others around but decided against revealing them in case she wasn't friendly, "can help. We know many things, and strong elf spellcasters and Riders can help if force needed," he told her.

[Timmir]

((Brenton, I'm warning you now that the information your characters know about Farore would be very limited unless he spent the time to actually research her past (which I highly doubt he did). Basically, this will consist of knowing that she was a tactician during her time, and maybe the fact that her (adoptive) father was a member of the Forsworn, and that's about it. (Though I hope that Brenton will keep that last piece of information to himself.)

Also personally, I kinda wanted her to find out her name on her own, but it seems that ship has now passed ))

Farore took a step back as she was shock by Brenton's sudden hostility. Her survival instincts quickly began to kick in as her mind tried to figure out whether she should run or fight if something were to go down. And while she didn't know it, her hand was now hovering over her sword that was hidden under her cloak. Arlyn's voice then rang through her head, reassuring her that they were not threats and only wanted to help. With her mind now calm, her hand moved away from her blade as she thought bacl about what Brenton said.

She did have to admit that the name Farore did sound familiar. Almost as if it was a name she was use to hearing ever day. Yet whether it was actually her name or the name of someone she knew, she couldn't be sure.

"I'm sorry King Brenton, but you seem to know more then I do. The first thing I remember is waking up in that house over there a few moments ago." She said motioning to the house behind her, "And you both pretty much know the rest. I wish I could tell you more, but that's honestly all the information I know. She said as she crossed her arms around her chest, her face looking pretty depressed.

[Brenton]

((Brenton only knows the information he gathered from overhearing his mother talk to her advisors. So basically that is just that she was a rider named Farore who was injured somehow. Though the information about her father would be good to know, he isn't able to say he knows that.))

Brenton cautiously lowered his hand to the hilt of Undbitr while keeping his grip loose and just ready enough to draw but not threatening enough to scare anyone. The elf king, or more a half elf since Brom was human, was more likely to talk calmly but he had noticed that the rider had her hand over something which could only mean she was armed. Still he wasn't ready to hurt her so Brenton relaxed when she calmed down and spoke again. Brenton sighed and nodded before realizing he had a friend who might be able to help in this situation somewhat. The man had been alive back before the Fall and had actually been brought to Du Weldenvarden by Morzan but Brenton trusted him with his life. So Brenton raised his hands calmly and called out in an amplified voice. Kialandi, I need your help here. When he had finished the king stepped back and waited for the man to arrive.

Trees were nothing to someone who had flown over them and that was exactly what Kialandi had done. So as he ran between the trees he smiled and then slid to a stop next to the king. He had seen Farore but didn't feel like revealing any information to her at the moment. How may I help you Brenton, my king?

[Quetzal]

((Not wanting to put words into Timmir's mouth, but it seems regaining Farore's memory would be something that happens over several threads rather than just suddenly in a few posts having everything sorted. Also, I don't think Kialandi would have known her?))

Arlyn nodded as Farore spoke. Brenton was the sort to use whatever methods he saw fit to fix a problem efficiently, but it was becoming apparent to him that a more gentle approach would be better, along with a good supply of patient. It was in his nature to be incredibly patient with everything, loathing hastiness when it was not needed; after all, he had taken him over a month to just come up with his name and even to speak or fly, and he had not been bothered by that much. When Brenton called for Kialandi, he was again surprised. Firstly he was wary of how loud the call was. The last time the king had been that obvious with his presence had been when he illuminated their entire camp as bright as midday sun to search for a thief, and ended up alerting a Shade. Arlyn had been barely able to move after that attack. Thank goodness the elves were such good healers. Secondly, whoever Kialandi was, there had to be better choices than him.

The little dragon looked Kialandi up and down when he arrived. He was tall and muscular. A warrior, then. A fighter. But he was not one of their best spellcasters - he knew all of those - nor was he one of the great elf scholars who would know about things like this, since most of the elf scholars were old enough to have been around before the Fall. He had no doubts this man was a perfectly decent person, but could not understand why Brenton would choose him for help. "Brenton, you have good intentions. Also I trust your judgement. Why Kialandi? Why not a master of searching minds? Or one of the scholars that lived before the egg-breaker?" this wasn't making much sense to the ice blue young dragon.

He looked again towards Farore. "Don't know how he know the name Farore. Don't know who Kialandi is. Still will trust," he expressed his own confusion towards her in case she tried to get answers from him.

[Timmir]

Farore looked oddly as the king suddenly yelled for someone named Kialandi. She couldn't help, but wonder who this man Brenton is summoning could be. A healer? A sage? Someone who could help her regain her memories? Soon enough she got her answer when Kialandi finally arrived, and she looked a little confused. The man looked like he would be someone better suited for killing, not exactly a skill needed for the situation at hand. So why did Brenton summon this man?

Her look of confusion seemed to have gotten the dragons attention as he told her that he had no idea who Kialandi is or even how Brenton knew Farore's name, but they should still trust them. Farore hoped the dragon was correct about this, because she was finding it hard to trust the elvish king. Still, she listened to the dragon and awaited to see Brenton's reasoning for bring this man onto the scene.

[Brenton]

Brenton nodded at Kialandi casually before his gaze flickered over to the dragons and the rider. He knew few people knew about Kialandi or his actual race so the king was prepared for Arlyn's question. Kialandi is older than most people know, about as old as Farore. Even with that said he should explain for himself. The king stepped back and motioned for the dragon spirit to speak.

Kialandi nodded slowly and crossed his arms casually before starting. My name is Kialandi Morzansson and there are many things you don't know about me. To start with I am old enough to remember many things from before the Fall. I am also not a human or elf but there are many things I am not. Farore there are things I could tell you but you need to find yourself without my help. Kialandi's tone was that of a wise elder as he spoke. The ancient being from before most remembered nodded his head and stepped back next to Brenton and Grazael. Grazael, make sure that Brenton allows Farore to figure out everything on her own. It is best for people to learn who they are on their own and that means she can't be told anything the elves learned from her mind back when she was first brought here. Also tell him that I am sorry for not helping him but this is the best thing for us all. In all actuality Kialandi didn't know much about how Farore had wound up here or really anything about her past besides that she was the best tactician the riders had and that she was a strong rider. He suspected many things but the dragon spirit wouldn't bring it up to anyone.

[Quetzal]

Regardless of Kialandi's age, Arlyn was not convinced he was the best person for the job. Having outright said he had many secrets, the half-elf seemed suspicious to the dragon. His words that Farore should be the one to find herself without others telling her made sense, but it also left them back where they had started. Arlyn was curious about the strange man, but right now Farore was more important and provided an interesting challenge. If she really was an ancient Rider, maybe she could give Isrydia some advice! Or perhaps she would be able to recount some exciting tales from the height of the Riders, long since lost to records. Isrydia would probably like that more than she would like training or advice.

"If Farore is to discover herself," he spoke to all present, "she needs a starting point. Something to stab the mind-fog. Does your name help? Or... dragons were around a lot before. What do you know about dragons? Anything you know must be learned before sleeping, after all," he hoped what he was saying made sense.

((would be longer but I'm in a hurry))

[Timmir]

Farore wasn't really sure what to think about what Kialandi said. He basically just said that Farore had to find out who she is on her own without any help, which kind of made sense she guessed. Yet, how exactly was she suppose to do that. By just waiting around and hope that whatever memories she did have would eventually return to her.

Her thought was interrupted as she heard the dragon's voice in her mind again. She paused for a second to think about what the dragon mention. Did knowing her name help? What did she know about Dragons? And where did she learn the things she knew? Unfortunately, her search failed to turn up anything useful.

She gave a small sigh as she shook her head. "I'm sorry Aryln, but I'm getting nothing. I'm not even sure that Farore is even my name, or if Brenton and Kialandi have me confused for someone else. I mean, surely I would have an idea what a rider is if I use to be one like Brenton said, yet there is nothing." Farore said with a small frown on her face before shaking her head in disappointment, "I'm sorry, I wish I could be more helpful."