One stormy night

[Mythia]

"Hhuu" Myth sighed as she watched the storm roll over head. She knew it would be a bad storm this time. "Well I better get home soon" Myth muttered to herself as she started walking home

[Quetzal]

It was not far from the outskirts of Ellesmera that Isrydia sat cross-legged on the ground, book in her lap. She chewed her lip absently, eyes staring at the pages but not seeing any of the words. Her mind was elsewhere. Only about three weeks had passed since the death of the king of the elves, Brenton. This had caused upset among many elves, but she was no elf - her rounded ears, typical human height, speed and grace betrayed her humanity. Despite not being one of King Brenton's subjects, she felt his loss particularly greatly; not only had she witnessed his death, a scene which had replayed itself in her head countless times since, but he had been her teacher and friend. Since then her education had been limited to the various books she had taken an interest in. Presently she was trying to research more into the mechanics of magic in the hope it would improve her own lacking magical abilities. There was little success with her once cheerful and sunny mind clouded over by loss. When other people were around, she could feel better and might begin focusing on the real world. It was just times like these, when she was alone, that she would wallow in her own misery and let it grow until she could think of nothing else.

Of course, nowadays she was never truly alone. Blocked from view by the leaves of the trees height above her, a small month-and-a-half old dragon named Arlyn rode the air currents. His ice blue scales glittered with the additional facets of the water droplets that had settled on him. He was abnormally small for his age, being about elbow height, as his growth had been stunted before by an injury inflicted by a Shade. While size was something he was lacking in, agility was something he was not. The air was his home, and it was with ease that he slipped between currents. As his Rider, Isrydia's mind was always connected to his. He could sense her wallowing. Previously when he had tried to intervene it had just resulted in irritation, which led to upset on both parties. He gave her space right now and was perfectly happy to fly as he pleased through the storm. By the look of it, it was set to be a bad one. All the more challenge! This would also help him take his mind of the death of Brenton and Brenton's dragon Grazael, who had been like a brother to him. Distancing himself from Isrydia helped, too. Shortly after their death, Grazael had contacted him declaring them not to be dead and also making him promise not to tell anyone. Letting Isrydia suffer like this while he knew it would only take a few words to bring her back to normal was in some ways worse than the loss she felt.

Detached from his Rider like this, Arlyn had no inclination about any change in the events below the sky. He was out of sight and since their minds were presently disconnected, Isrydia could not even tell where he was when she noticed a figure walking through the trees. She glanced upwards but the trees were too densely packed for her to see the gloomy sky, let alone her dragon. There was a brief moment where she tensed in case Mythia was a threat, but once she came into view she relaxed again. An elf by the look of her, but there was something not quite fully elven. Most likely one of her relatives was a human. She only looked about thirteen, a child who she doubted would be a significant threat. Having been trained as a knight before becoming a Dragon Rider, Isrydia was five years older than Mythia and confident she would be able to defend herself if necessary. She doubted it would come to that anyway, trusting the stranger. Her eyes flickered back to her book, reading through a sentence carefully. They slowly swung back to Mythia and she came closer. "Hi. Are you all right? Need any help?" she asked. Most people around here knew their was around, but it was polite to ask and anyway, maybe this stranger would prove interesting, friendly, or otherwise worth having a conversation with.

[Brenton]

Trees sang as wind blew through the branches overhead filled with birds and small hunters of prey but none of them were important as sunlight reflected off of the metal of a weapon in the small hands of a boy who ducked and weaved through the foliage. After receiving word of Kialandi leaving, Shaelren had grabbed his dagger and entered the forest to find Ashendale or Nelfarion. Both of them had evaded him for awhiole yet he refused to give up.

Shaelren looked human and was rather unknowing of his history but the boy was actually an elf who had some noble lineage. Yet now he was forced to believe he was human because his mother had altered his appearance so drastically to keep him safe when he was younger. Shaelren gripped his daggers tighter and walked in a half crouch toward where a girl walked. She was close to his age and rather pretty but with a feral look to her.

[Mythia]

Mythia sniffed the air, keenly smelling the familiar scents of the forest. The pines here were not as big as the trees near ellesmera yet provided enough cover in case of ambush. Then a new scent emerged, looking in the direction of the scent Mythia saw a boy, no older than her, with daggers griped in his hands. He looked human, but smelt like an elf. I wonder why he is here myth wondered in amazement.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia noted the other boy as he ran, dropping to a crouch towards the girl. He looked human. That was nice to see. Elven culture had never really connected with her, and the only other human she had for company around here was her fellow pupil, Seril. She taught him to fight, he taught her more about academic studies. As of late she had found herself more and more interested by these academic studies. She had yet to find a decent book on the stars, however. That was a topic she would have to research herself.

Her interest had shifted from a book to the two young teenagers meeting in front of her. They did not appear to notice each other. It was odd that the boy should be running - was he in trouble? Did the two know each other? Should the two know each other? Her old inquisitive nature was desperately clambering through her loss, shouting at her to try and gain her attention. She wanted to know more about what was going on, but she did not want to spy on people. That would be morally wrong, and could turn sour if she was discovered. It was likely she would be caught if she tried eavesdropping, as she was not the most stealthy person.

Apathy held strong and prevented her from moving towards the two strangers. With some effort, she brought herself round to clearing her throat to try gaining their attention. "Erm, excuse me? Hello? Do you two know each other?" she called to Mythia and Shaelren.

[Brenton]

Shaelren stopped moving as he took a small yet calming breath and moved his hands enough to spin the daggers and sheath them in his cloth belt. Light shimmered and bounced as the blades spun and then disappeared when he slid them into the cloth belt. Over his time as a pupil to Kialandi he had started to dress in soft clothing that camouflaged his body with a simplce dark green sash for a belt. He wore soft leather boots and a mottled brown and green hunters cloak with the hood pulled up to cover his face mostly. Across his back was a recurve bow with a quiver of finely made arrows Fletcher with eagle feathers. Yet the daggers made him look more like an assassin than a hunter which was perfect for his plans at the moment.

In front of him was the girl his age yet there was also another girl ahead who was reading or something. Isrydia, Brenton's student, was the older girl who had just yelled at him asking if he knew the younger girl. With practiced movements, Shaelren pulled the hood down and stepped into the light. "I plan on finding Ashendale or Nelfarion and avenging the death of King Brenton."

[Mythia]

" I do not know him" Myth told them as rain started to drizzle. "But may inquire why you are here,rider?"

[Quetzal]

"Then we are all strangers here... How do you know I'm a Rider?" Isrydia frowned when Mythia addressed her as such. She had not accomplished much in her month an a half of being a Rider, was not taken notice of in Ellesmera except when Arlyn was walking with her, and she did not know Mythia. The gedwey ignasia on the palm of her right hand would give her identity away, but since she was holding a book it would be difficult for anyone to see her palm. It was of little concern to her as she did not fear the two young teens and did not mind people knowing who she was, but it still bothered her that she had no idea how Mythia had found out. "I just came here to study somewhere quiet," she gestured pointedly to the book in her lap.

Rain began to drip off the leaves above them, collecting to enlarge the drops. With a sigh she reluctantly tugged the faded and battered green cloak she had been sitting on off the ground. This she threw around her shoulders, pulling the hood over her hair without obscuring her face from the view of the two strangers. She had nothing to hide so did not want to make them feel she was being unfriendly towards them. Her expression remained the look of almost boredom despite wanting to engage in conversation. Smiling did not come easily these days. Her dull blue-grey eyes had a glazed look about them; her thoughts were elsewhere. They always were. That was, until Shaelren explained why he was here. Those eyes widened and focused on reality. Full of life all of a sudden, she leaped to her feet and took a few steps forward to stand in front of the boy, looking down on him. "You... what?" she could barely speak for shock, finding Arlyn's mind through their bond and alerting him to this news without need of any words.

Within seconds, the leaves began rustling with more than just the rain. The small dragon dislodged the water from all the leaves he brushed past, sending a wave of rain to the ground below. He emerged through the trees behind Isrydia and leaned forwards, reaching out with wings vertical to slow him down before he landed softly next to his Rider. She had not looked around, knowing perfectly well what he was doing. It was Shaelren she was interested in, trying to fathom his reasoning. He was either very brave, very stupid, or just plain ignorant. Arlyn glanced at Mythia and reached out with his mind. His touch was very gentle, reaching out to both Shaelren and Mythia. No harm was intended, and he tried to make it as clear as possible that he just needed a weak connection for communication. "My name is Arlyn. Boy, what are you thinking? My Rider and I fought alongside Brenton against Ashendale and Nelfarion. Those two were too powerful for all Ellesmera's Riders, Kialandi, some of the best elven warriors, and even that Empire spartan tall person. What makes you think you can take them on? No offense, but you won't be able to sneak up on them. They'd sense you a mile off and wipe you off the map before you even knew you were close to them," this was all directed at Shaelren, but he tried speaking to Mythia as well so that she would know what was going on. He was comfortable stating his own name, but was careful not to reveal Isrydia's as that was her decision to make.

[Brenton]

Shaelren smiled sadly at how Isrydia was reacting to his declaration to fight the demented pair. He sniffed in disdain as they acted like he was a normal boy and then cast his eyes directly at Arlyn. "Kialandi was not beaten by that traitor and I will not be either. My name is Shaelren Thorsson and I was trained by Kialandi before he left. That Empire woman didn't scare me and neither will someone like Ashendale. There is no one who can sway me now that King Brenton is dead and Kialandi has left. You know not of my skill Arlyn, nor you Isrydia. Yet I know that the two of you were pupils of the late king. Should you not be wanting this also?" Shaelren looked defiantly at the two.

((Shaelren is a former thief so he knows things like names because he is able to sneak around easily))

[Aelodil]

(( Just doing my job and being a big party pooper. I know Mythia you're new so I'm not going to be mean or anything, just wanted to remind you to try to keep your posts up to 75 words or so, just to keep things interesting. Again, seeing as your new this is not a warning of any sorts, it's just a reminder. Anyways guys, have fun and sorry for crashing your party ))

[Mythia]

"I know you are a rider because I often visit elven city's and have seen you there." The sun started to sink down the horizon and the rain got colder and heavier. Mythia pulled her cloak tighter around her shoulders " as for my name, you may call me Shadowstalker . And you (myth points at shaelren) how can you consider going after them they'll do worse than kill you. They're worse than insane. They know what they're doing." Shadowstalker quivered at the thought. [im sorry I put the wrong name in, though that's what I get for doing a book report on this book.]

[Quetzal]

Isrydia nodded as Mythia explained how she knew her identity, eyes distant. Being recognized was alien to her. The first seventeen years of her life she had been a kid in Kuasta, a small isolated town. The following year she had been just a wondering storyteller. Then she had met William, become an apprentice knight and spent her life between that moment and now in training, a student of little importance. Arlyn's arrival a month and a half ago had changed that drastically, but she was far from used to the sudden respect and did little to make herself of much note. The more time she spent in Ellesmera and the larger Arlyn grew, the more attention they got, and the more well-known she would become, something she wasn't sure if she wanted or not.

A gentle nudge from Arlyn brought her back into the present. She highly doubted that Shadowhunter was the girl's real name, but it was something. She had more sense than Shaelren, understanding the dangers of going after such a formidable opponent. "You've said your names, so I guess it's only fair I say mine. It's Isrydia," she turned to Shaelren, "Shadowhunter's right. Kialandi wasn't beaten, but you should notice he didn't exactly beat Nelfarion and Ashendale, either. Plus he had help."

"Whoever you've been trained by, you won't best them. You can't be as good in combat as Kialandi or he would not be training you, and who knows how long the two enemies have had to practice? A century? Three? You shouldn't get so ahead of yourself, it'll be the death of you," Arlyn continued for her.

Isrydia picked up the little speech again seamlessly, "We don't know what you're capable of, true, but it doesn't include killing those two creatures,"

"It might be hard to admit, but everyone has their limits. It would take an army to kill those things. Isrydia and myself were next to useless against them. There's no shame in admitting there's an enemy you can't best, in fact there's more shame in not doing so,"

"We loath them as much as anyone, but what's the point in killing them? It's suicide to try. Revenge is important to you, I get it, but it's far better to bide our time while they're inactive to try and gather strength, learn as much about them as possible, so we can think of a better strategy in case they start killing again," the pair were growing frustrated with Shaelren. The boy was being so ignorant, and his ego and lust for revenge were so inflated they would suffocate him sometime soon. Arlyn was more patient than Isrydia, but was also more annoyed. He looked at Shadowhunter, hoping she might be able to offer further advice. If this approach didn't connect with the boy, perhaps she would have a better idea.

[Brenton]

Shaelren shook his head slowly in frustration as Isrydia and Arlyn started to explain how it was more shameful to not admit one's weakness but they still didn't understand that after Kialandi left all he had was hatred to hang to. "It's not for Brenton that I want to kill the two," Shaelren felt tears roll down his cheeks as he remembered the day Kialandi had saved him from the merchant in Teirm. "but because Kialandi saved my life and when Brenton died he left without a goodbye or anything. That's why I want to kill them." Shaelren stared defiantly at the three in front if him waiting for their invalid arguments.

[Mythia]

"Do you think killing them will make him come back? Do you even have any clue where they are? And why start looking for them now, it's raining!" Shadowstalker questioned shaelren. Then suddenly a growl came from her throat. Then it was gone. Shadowstalker was silent.

[Quetzal]

Isrydia had never met Kialandi properly herself, so could not guess at his intentions for leaving. Arlyn had met him briefly after finding Farore, so all she knew of him was through the young dragon. The dragon-man unnerved him greatly, but aside from that all she knew was that he was strong and old. What she had seen of him while fighting Ashendale and Nelfarion had proved this. The dragon spirit struck awe in her, the same awe she had felt when she had first met an elf a while ago in Farthen Dur. She had been surrounded by countless awe-inspiring things since Arlyn's hatching, as if becoming a Rider had given her a ticket to the rare and unbelievable secret magics of the world. Kialandi was certainly to be counted among them. She and Arlyn both took care not to mention what he was, since he seemed to keep it a secret from people. It wasn't her place to reveal something like that.

Arlyn gave Mythia a curious look when she growled. That sound wasn't entirely human, he thought. Was there more to her than met the eye? Isrydia was oblivious to any abnormalities, so he remained silent about the matter. His Rider almost smiled when Mythia pointed out the rain. "The rain is the least of our concerns. It's harmless," she turned to Shaelren and looked him in the eye. "Are you sure it's really Ashendale and Nelfarion you want to find? To me it sounds like you'd rather find Kialandi. Why don't you look for him instead? At least for the sake of not fighting those monsters alone. Arlyn and I don't know him well enough to guess at where he might have gone, but we can try helping in other ways if you want," she offered. Arlyn flexed his wings to remind him of his ability to fly over the land for a better view and better chance of reaching Kialandi if he had hidden in his dragon form. He wasn't strong enough to carry a person yet, but he was a fast and agile flier.

[Brenton]

Shaelren whirled on Mythia as she spoke about the rain and asked him questions as if he were a little child. In reflex he dropped his hand to the dagger and it was in his grip as if of its own accord. His eyes flashed dangerously as his lips pulled back in a snarl. "And do you really think I can't see through your facade little cat? No human or elf can growl like you just did, like a werecat." As he grew more agitated a strange aura rippled through the air and a blinding light shone out like a beacon. In the place of the human boy stood his true form, an elf. Lean and graceful with pointed ears and high cheekbones covered by fair and unblemished skin.

[Mythia]

Shadowstalker stepped out of the shadows her golden eyes visible. "I'm only half werecat, I'm also half elf." she paused, then continued more seriusly "besides I wanted to know how you would react to a hafling like me" [ooc mythia calls people like her haflings.] " What about you, you were disguised as a human?" She threw back the cowl of her cloak, revealing her catlike features and creamy white hair." You are lucky, you can blend in, no matter where I am my loyalties will be questioned. Who do I side with? What can I do? Why am I there? That's what people think about me, though very few admit it." After that she thought it would be better for her to stay silent. 

[Quetzal]

Isrydia and Mythia's comments prompted a flurry of revealed secrets. Isrydia's heart was still heavy with grief at Brenton and Grazael's deaths, so while she would normally be in a state of happy amazement at a time like this, it was dulled into one of mild frustration. Must everyone have such big secrets? Was no-one who they seemed? She didn't keep secrets. Hiding the fact that she was a Rider was easy enough, but she didn't keep it a secret. It was a thought that had been preying on her a lot lately, else it may not have frustrated her so much. Kialandi, Brenton, Jade... she was easy to trust people, but that feature was starting to fade with all the secrets people kept. Those were not even the worst, although she suspected others must still be hiding stuff from her. Worst was the painful reminder that Arlyn was keeping something from her. Her dragon, with whom she shared the strongest bond she would ever know, was keeping secrets or did not trust her. He knew she was aware, but blocked her and refused to tell her. There was something in the way he was oddly accepting of Brenton and Grazael's deaths that made her suspicious; even now his feeling was one of deep interest and excitement, while her own grief denied her that.

Arlyn could tell his Rider was uncomfortable, and did his best to ignore that. First he looked at Mythia, then Shaelren. "I've never met a werecat before, not even someone who's the smallest bit werecat. Isrydia has, before I hatched, but he didn't have any catlike features in human form. Weird that you do when you're not a full werecat," his speech was quick with excitement. He took a step towards her to examine her more closely, face level with hers. He sniffed her curiously, warm breath on her face before retreating back to stare at Shaelren, hardly sure of where to look with all the excitement.

"Don't worry, Shadowstalker, so long as your loyalties aren't against us we won't question them," Isrydia spoke for both herself and Arlyn, "We loath all this conflict and try to keep out of it, so we aren't going to worry about whether you're with the Empire or Varden. I'm afraid you won't escape being asked your business anywhere, it's just because tensions are high. Everyone is suspicious of everyone else, and there's something distinctly not elvish about you, so you attract attention," she reasoned. Next she looked at Shaelren. She knew the elves could change their appearance, but for a boy to do so without apparent intent or words... something was wrong there.

"How did you do that without the Ancient Language? Did you have some spell to make you look human wear off? Oh, and this doesn't change my views on your plans to kill Nelfarion and Ashendale," he was full of questions, wanting to learn how this could be.

[Brenton]

Shaelren's greenish-blue eyes shifted from Mythia to Isrydia and Arlyn in a matter of a few seconds as he tried to process what had just happened but he didn't have much time to do that as a guard from the elves came running up and slid to a halt just as the light disappeared and left Shaelren standing there in his fine clothing with clean and longish blonde hair. The guard sputtered and then drew his sword with a muttered curse. Thor Gorlsson died years ago, why do you haunt us shade of the man? Shaelren turned and his green eyes flashed dangerously. Thor had been with brown eyes so these eyes were not his which made the guard stop in his tracks. "You think I am Thor Gorlsson? Ha! I am Shaelren Thorsson and will not be called by my disgrace of a father's name. Now leave me guard for I am not in the mood for you petty squabbling at the moment." As he finished, Shaelren made sure his dagger was ready and his bow was in easy reach. This was definitely strange but worse yet was the fact that when he finished, the guard dropped to one knee with his sword point down.

My lord, forgive me but you look just like Thor. It was my fault for thinking that he would come back to life but it is good to see that you are still alive and able to rule over our fair town. Please, Lord Shaelren, return and take the manor back from your uncle before he turns us over to the Empire like he plans. The guard looked at Shaelren expectantly and it made the thirteen year old boy shudder for he had no idea what he was talking about.

Guard, what do you speak of me being a lord for? I am but a human who was cruelly changed in appearance. How you know my father I will never know but it is well past time that you explained yourself. Just then an arrow went through the guards chest and the man fell forward to reveal an archer only 50 paces away with a long bow raised. The man was tall and broad shouldered with short blond hair and blue eyes. Shaelren gaped and then his eyes went steely as the bow was leveled at him with another deadly arrow on the string. Acting on instinct, Shaelren threw the knife and it flipped end over end to land in the man's chest right through the heart.

The forest went silent as Shaelren walked over to the man and pulled his dagger from the wound to release the life's blood. He looked into the man's eyes and gasped as he saw himself but older and more hardened by war and hunger as well as heartache. Well done nephew, well done. I never would have thought you had the guts to kill your own blood after your traitor mother fled with you when you were just a baby. Your father would be so proud of you if only he could see you right now. With that the former lord of Naelrathe died and Shaelren looked up with confusion in his eyes. He had heard of his mother's birthplace, Naelraethe, but he had assumed that she had been a human who was able to flee when they found out. Now he discovered he was not only an elf but he was also the next in line and rightful heir to Naelrathe Manor. Shaelren shuddered again and looked at Isrydia and Aryln before he collapsed and passed out from shock. This was all just too much too quickly.

[Mythia]

Mythia gasped. Drawing her own daggers, one a blued steel, the other one was more special, a clear blade with a small gemstone in the pomel. She reached into the vast reserves of power in the gem, it was the last thing her parents had given her before they left to join the war . She then turned to isrydia "Im not an experienced healer, do you know what to do?" Mythia looked around, alert for any other attackers. She cursed at herself for not sensing the attack. The rain was going to get harder, this is going to be an all out storm, and they were stuck in it.