Heading to the North ((Quest))

[Brenton]

All of the elves had been at the edge of Ellesmera when the body of soldiers had gathered under the banner of the elven king and his dragon to say good bye. Brenton had looked to his friend Laetri and returned Argetadurna as well as the second crown to symbolize he was active king until the return of the king yet now he looked back and wished he'd asked the rider to accompany him. Konner had stayed behind to watch over Shaelren and Isrydia had planned to leave. Brenton hadn't been able to reach Emiryal so he had decided to go with his soldiers and some spell casters. Now they were at the edge of Du Weldenvarden and on their third day of the march. Brenton watched the sun descend below the horizon and raised his hand in the air to halt his men. Just ahead of them was a clearing with a great spot for camping for the night. Set up camp and ready yourselves for an early departure. While his men did that, Brenton walked a little ways away and sat down to meditate.

[Emiryal ♕]

Thorn flew high above but going undetected due to an illusion Murtagh had cast. The empire's champion leaned over Thorn's side slightly to get a view of the group below. "He may be free and reign as a king but not for much longer," he said. He couldn't make out any individuals but Thorn could and through him he saw Brenton. Under orders he had come to retrieve Brenton, he would pay for leaving the empire and would make a lovely hostage to use against the elves.

They waited until Thorn saw Brenton move away from the rest. "Looks like now is as good a time as any," he said. "Reru you know what to do,"[/b] he said glancing at the rider and purple dragon circling with them. Having a force of soldiers here Reru had accompanied them to help take the soldiers attention off Brenton and make it easier for Murtagh and Thorn.

Thorn tucked his wings and began a steep dive. Timing had to be perfect. As he neared the ground he flared his wings out to stop himself as he landed practically right on top of Brenton. He opened his mouth to grab Brenton before taking off. He had to be careful not to injure or kill Brenton. He was wanted alive if possible though dead was better than letting him get away.

rider of Kamikurai | empire rider

Before Thorn dove Kami tucked her wings and dove for the mass of soldiers. As she neared she leveled out and bathed the camp in purple fire catching tents on fire. Reru shot arrows from where he sat on her back at the soldiers. A few of them who were more ready than others returned fire with arrows or magic. Reru only smiled and tapped into the energy of the purple crown on his head using it to cast spells to counter the arrows and magic with ease. The crown was his link to the Physic Citadel's Guardian and the great power he had. As an elder he had made a promise not to use the citadel for the empire, but he wasn't he was using it to protect himself so his oath allowed the act.

[Brenton]

Brenton felt the air around him vibrate and crash while wings of dragons fell and then rose again while he sat there with his eye closed. Two pair of wings both large enough to carry a rider and both heading down into a dive toward the camp. One was heading toward him and Brenton recognized the minds of Murtagh and Thorn who had often times been helping in his training. Without opening his eyes, Brenton ducked and flipped forward under what was sure to be an attack by the giant red dragon. With ease he drew Undbitr and opened his eyes to stare sate his former ally who sat astride Thorn. Already Grazael was behind him and he could feel the protective gaze on him. Brenton grinned and looked at Murtagh in awe. Does the mad king never cease his attempts to catch me? Murtagh, old friend, you know I am not defenseless so why do you come for me so? Brenton could hear the roar of Kami and the cry to arms by his men. Each one of them knew he was able to take Murtagh or at least escape alive.

[Emiryal ♕]

When the attempt failed Murtagh jumped off Thorn's back and landed a few paces away from Brenton while Thorn circled and landed behind Murtagh. It didn't surprise them very much that Brenton had evaded them. They both new Brenton would not be an easy target, but it had been worth a try. He drew Zar'oc, the blood red sword glinting in the last of the evening's light and that of the fire. "Brenton you of all people should know why," Murtagh said. Brenton had been under Galbatorix's rule once surely he knew that his and Thorn's being here was not by their choice but by orders they could not refuse. "Malthinae Shur'tugal du Bjartskular ," he said using the ancient language in an attempt to bind both Brenton and Grazael, his Eldundari provided him energy for the spell even as he said the word.

[Brenton]

Brenton, after have been attacked by Drayden, had layered himself in wards so that most attack would not affect him like they should. Instead of binding them, the spell simply hit him and seemed to create a reddish aura around him. Adding to that with golden energy he created a smallpox shield that glowed in front of him while he raised Undbitr. You still hold to that being unable to change your true name? All you have to do is change one thing about yourself like a few of us did to prove it can be done. Well, old friend, I really must say it's been great seeing you again. As he spoke the last bit the elf king jumped up and flipped backward to land upon the back of Grazael. Grazael shot into the air with a roar and blast of ire staid at Thorn. He shot off and the elven soldiers started to retreat, grabbing only what they absolutely needed. Most turned back to alert the elves in Ellesmera of Brenton's peril.

[Emiryal ♕]

Before Murtagh could reply Brenton and Grazael had taken to flee. Did Brenton not think he had not tried to change his true name? Of course he had but while Brenton and Emiryal had years of knowledge about such things Murtagh was at a disadvantage to that. As hard as he tried he and Thorn had not been able to do it. And he had a feeling that Galbatorix kept a closer eye on him than the other riders which made it all that more difficult. "Come on Thorn we have an fugitive to catch," he said getting onto Thorn's back. The red dragon took off in pursuit of the elven king.

Seeing the pointlessness of the magic before Murtagh realized it most likely wouldn't help him here unless...

He held up his left hand with the rider's mark on his palm and began to cast the Energy shaft spell. It was none other than the one he'd used to kill the dwarven king. If any spell could break through the elven kings wards this one could. Releasing it the beam of crackling energy shot straight for Brenton. Murtagh hardly felt the drain as his Eldundari provided the massive amount of energy required for such dark magic.

[Brenton]

Brenton could sense an attack coming at him as Grazael flew faster and faster toward safety. He still had Undbitr so the king leaned back and sliced out at the beam of energy while directing Grazael to climb higher. The blade was enchanted so it cut through the spell easily enough leaving behind only the faint crackle of energy where it had once been. He cursed as the energy numbed his arm but he managed to right himself and the dragon shot into the clouds while Brenton searched for an escape route. Then it came to him in the shade of a smaller forest just to his right. Brenton directed Grazael into the trees and soon they came upon a cliff face with three caves. The dragon and rider flew in there and immediately cast a spell to move several stones in the way of the cave and then had a tree close by grow larger until it blocked the entrance some more. As a last thought he cast an illusion over a second cave with an obvious haste to make it look like he was in there instead of the actual cave.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh Morzansson | Empire's general and champion | Rider of Thorn

The spell hadn't struck as he had hoped it would but at least it did some damage. Brenton was a difficult opponent to say the least. The energy shaft had a tenancy to do more internal damage than was obvious at first, and while it wasn't a direct hit he hoped it was enough to do some internal damage to Brenton's arm. Unfortunately their enemy was further ahead and beat them to the forest which Thorn abruptly stopped at the edge of not pursuing any further. "Thorn, go. I know we are violating the elves territory but we already made war by attacking Brenton. We can't do much more damage," Murtagh said. In response the red dragon flew forward landing near the caves. He wasn't sure what cave Brenton was in. A quick spell revealed an illusion over one of the caves but he hesitated. He knew his query and Brenton surely would've not made it so obvious. He had blocked one of Murtagh's best spells surely an illusion was not the best he could do. "Brenton you are a coward, you flee when your forces are in danger and run from a fight. What kind of king are you? The king of cowards? The king of fear? Perhaphs we should fly on to your cities and burn them all, after all the coward king wouldn't dare stop us from doing it," he called out mockingly letting his voice be amplified by magic to carry to the furthest reaches of the caves.

[Brenton]

As Brenton sat in the cave he concentrated and created a smoke version of Grazael and himself in the air just where the Empire rider could see it and then had Grazael keep the illusion up. Quickly he went to his saddle bag and took out a small scrying glass that he set up and cast the spell to contact Konner. Konner, send for Laetri or Anurin or even Emiryal and tell them that I am hidden in a cliff cave trapped by Murtagh. My position is three days march north but have them get here soon. I must fight Murtagh or he will go fight and burn the elf cities. Please help, friend. As he finished, Konner nodded and took off heading to where Emiryal lived.

Konner clutched his knees as he arrived at the small house outside Ellesmera where the former Empire rider lived. He took a deep breath and then pounded on the door while raising his voice. "Emiryal! King Brenton is in need and is being trapped by Murtagh. Please come aid in the fight or he will lose."

[Emiryal ♕]

Emiryal Nyteshaed | Heir of the Forsworn | Former Empire Rider | Rider of Firern

Emiryal was working on a sculpture when he heard the urgent pounding on the door followed by a voice. He had never met Koner before but the mention of the King more than got his attention. He set down the half finished sculpture and hurried to the door, opening it with haste. "Brenton, where is he?" he asked urgently. Even as he spoke he retreated back to where he had been sitting and retrieved his swords. Though the mention of Murtagh made him nervous. He wasn't sure how well he could withstand him nor if he would come out of it on the right side. Murtagh very well could try to break his mind. But he would do it and risk it for Brenton. His friend was in trouble.

Firern was resting next to the house when Konner came. He perked up at the news and waited impatiently for Emiryal as well as an answer to where to go.

[Brenton]

Konner stood up straighter and tried to gather his thoughts while he remembered exactly what Brenton had said. "He said he was three days March north of Ellesmera in a cave. It is also important that helps gets there soon because Murtagh is going to burn the cities if Brenton doesn't show himself soon." Konner lowered his hand to his sword hilt unconsciously at the thought of what that meant. On dragonback it would be about a day if they stopped but Brenton didn't have that long.

Brenton stood up and gathered as much energy from the live in the caves as he prepared for the fight. Hopefully someone would come to his aid soon or their would be trouble. With a deep breath, Brenton raised his hands and the rocks burst outward in a shower of warp fragments while the tree splintered and enter everywhere. The king was on Grazael in a second and the large dragon roared in anger at the insults to his rider. You harm any elves and I will not only kill you but use your head as decoration outside the city of Ellesmera!

[Emiryal ♕]

Emiryal Nyteshaed | Heir of the Forsworn | Former Empire Rider | Rider of Firern

Emiryal nodded as Konner spoke. "I think I know the place," he said. During his life he'd spent a great deal of time exploring Du Weldenvarden and not very much of it had been left unseen for him. The elf grabbed Firern's saddle where it rested on the wall and exited his house. "Burn the cities...some how that doesn't surprise me," he said. Not that it was a good thing just that he wouldn't put it past Murtagh to do such a thing. "He might do it anyways regardless of if Brenton shows or not," he said tossing the saddle onto Firern's back and quickly working to secure it. If he was to fight Murtagh he couldn't do it without a saddle to keep from falling off his dragon. "Are you coming or is it just me?" he asked as he secured the second to last buckle on the saddle.

Murtagh Morzansson | Empire's general and champion | Rider of Thorn

Murtagh smiled as Brenton and Grazael emerged. "Elves already have been harmed, and not by me but you. You abandoned your forces on the edge of the forest. Rerukusu has killed more than one elf already," he said. Thorn took flight as he spoke, they had been resting on an outcropping on the cliffside. Thorn roared in return to Grazael's roar and made a pass at her aiming to bathe her and her rider in fire. As they passed Murtagh swung his sword at Grazael's head imbuing his sword with energy to help cut through the wards.

[Brenton]

Konner bristled at the thought of leaving Brenton alone against Murtagh and only having one rider on the way to help him in the fight. Instead of answering the rider he simply looked back at Talon who landed beside him with a saddle on his back and a great roar building from his chest. "I'm going with to aid my friend." As he spoke, Konner leapt onto the saddle and slid down so that he was ready. He strapped his legs in place and looked over at Firern and Emiryal.

Brenton grimaced at the thought of his men dying but there was nothing he could do about it now. Just as he got used to that thought he felt the familiar sense of Grazael spinning down and he clutched onto the spike in front of him as the rolled to avoid the attack from Murtagh who appeared to enjoy the fight. Brenton felt the distance decrease and the large golden dragon flamed his jaws on Thin aiming for a vital vein. Brenton swung Undbitr at at Murtagh with a strong side slash.

[Emiryal ♕]

Emiryal Nyteshaed | Heir of the Forsworn | Former Empire Rider | Rider of Firern

Emiryal nodded and after securing the last buckle on Firern's saddle got onto his back and strapped himself in as well. "We don't have time to travel there, Brenton would be dead by then...I'm teleporting Firern and myself there. If you can I'd suggest you do the same," he said. He would've offered to bring Konnor and Talon himself but he wasn't sure he had the strength to do it, not when he would need all he had to fight Murtagh off. Firern took to the air and circled higher. When they were high enough Emiryal cast the spell and they vanished in a flash of blue light.

In a similar fashion Emiryal and Firern appeared near the cliffs Brenton and Murtagh were at. Unfortunately not knowing their exact location they ended up further down the cliff face. Emiryal drew his twin rider blades as Firern roared and flew towards them. It was clear they wouldn't make it before Murtagh could attack again.

Murtagh Morzansson | Empire's general and champion | Rider of Thorn

Murtagh saw as Grazael went to bite Thorn going for a vital vein but much to his annoyance he could do nothing about it as Brenton was attacking him. He brought up Zar'roc in time to catch the elf king's blade and deflect it away from him diffusing the energy from the strength of the blow rather than absorb it by counter strength.

Thorn growled and twisted around to bite at Grazael's neck as she struck him. He felt her teeth sink into him but not as far as they should've gone, one of Murtagh's wards preventing the lethal damage. The ward was a strong one as Murtagh had made it to protect Thorn's life. No life beside his and Thorn were more important to him after all. However, the blow didn't seem to tax Murtagh of the energy it required at all. His Eldundari saw to that. A familiar roar caused Murtagh to glance away if only for a second, Emiryal. Well this might be good. It would give him a chance to capture two fugitives! He swung at Brenton in return aiming to strike him on his leg.

[Brenton]

Konner cursed and circled higher upon the back of his dragon as he drew energy from all the nature around him so that it would not kill any of the trees or animals. Uttering a complex string of the Ancient language he saw the trees around him disappear and then the sound of roars s well as tithing echoed around him while Talon gave a roar of immense volume and then the red dragon dot off toward the fight unable tto arrive in time to stop the next attack.

Brenton ducked as Murtagh attacked yet again, hearing the sound of Firern and Talon arrive. So Loner had gone to Emiryal and then come as well. Grazael tucked his wing and rolled as he felt salty blood hit his throat and he roared in anger ad the dragon and user continued to fight.

[Emiryal ♕]

Emiryal Nyteshaed | Heir of the Forsworn | Former Empire Rider | Rider of Firern

Emiryal and Firern headed straight for Murtagh and Thorn. As they approached Firern flew directly above Grazael with only a few feet to spare before slamming into Thorn, the momentum pushing them away from Brenton. "Brenton, are you alright?" Emiryal called out to him not daring to open his mind to speak mentally for fear of Murtagh attacking him that way.

Firern bathed Thorn and Murtagh in fire but is only went around them harmlessly. Resorting to claws and teeth he attacked Thorn as best he could. It was very apparent that Thorn was larger than Firern by a fair amount and Firern was having had difficult time fighting a larger dragon. Emiryal slashed at Murtagh with both of his twin blades.

Murtagh Morzansson | Empire's general and champion | Rider of Thorn

"Coward, can't even fight your own battles," Murtgh scoffed as Emiryal and Firern approached. As he was busy fighting off Brenton's attacks he nor Thorn had time to avoid Emiryal and Firern and were pushed away. As Firern directed fire at them Murtagh quickly cast a spell to shield him and Thorn, allowing the fire to dissipate harmlessly. In return Thorn kicked off Firern to gain some distance before returning the favor and dousing them in flames.

Murtagh blocked one of Emiryal's swords but failed to catch the other. The blade struck him on his side but was not very deep nor life threatening by any means. He knew Emiryal and Brenton well enough from fighting alongside them for a time, but the third rider he didn't know. Nor was he sure about taking on three riders alone. Sure he had his eldundari but that only helped with his magic and Brenton had proved to have more than enough defense against that.

[Brenton]

A true warrior knows when it is best to call for help and you are a fool if you can take three riders at once. Grazael swung around so they were close to Emiryal when he called out asking if the king was alright as he attacked the Empire rider. I'm fine Emiryal but very greatful that you came to my aid with Konner. Brenton drew himself up and then realized he had several small cuts on his arm from the breaking stone. Silently he put layers of wards and watched as the battle played out more as he attacked Murtagh from the left and Konner from the right.

While most of his weapons were mde for close combat, Konner had his sword and so he drew the blade and attacked the other red dragon with savage swipes and slashes while Talon bathed Thorn in flames and used tooth and cow on him as well.

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh Morzansson | Empire's general and champion | Rider of Thorn

Murtagh chuckled as he blocked one attack with Zar'roc and the rest with his wards. He wouldn't let his worries show, that would be weakness "I am the Champion and General of the empire, I have more power than you could fathom. If you think you can take me down you are wrong Brenton," he said. Even Glaedr and Oromis hadn't been able to do it, granted he had Galbatorix's help then.

He gaze fell on Emiryal who had come about for another attack. Thorn was pinned between Knnor and Brenton and didn't leave them much room to maneuver to avoid the attack. Not to mention blocking the attacks from them. When Talon bathed Thorn in flames Murtagh reached for the flames and caught them, redirecting it at Emiryal who was nearly upon him. It was much like the idea of how you would redirect a light with a mirror and it had cost Murtagh nearly no energy at all to do it.

Thorn tried to snap his jaws onto Talon's wing to tear the thin membrane. While they knew Brenton was well protected he didn't know about Konnor or Talon and there was one way to find out! Fight.

Emiryal Nyteshaed | Heir of the Forsworn | Former Empire Rider | Rider of Firern

Emiryal cried out as the redirected flames struck him. He hadn't been able to shield himself from the flames in time. Firern veered away from them, breaking off their attack to give Emiryal time to recover as the elf quickly extinguished his burning clothes with a spell. "Are you alright?" Firern asked. "--yeah, come on lets take him down," Emiryal said. The fire had given him quite a bad looking burn on his left arm which unfortunately was his sword arm, but he didn't have time to heal it just now. The others would need their help. Firern didn't quite trust that Emiryal was totally alright, but they didn't have much choice so he rounded about for another attack run.

[Brenton]

Konner hadn't placed many wards upon himself but knowing that the weak membrane in the wings was very vulnerable so he had warded them against physical and weak magic attacks. As Murtagh and his accursed mount attacked Talon it stopped and then rebounded like a sword off of a rubber shield. Konner cursed in several different manners through Dwarvish, Human, and the Ancient Language. He felt Talon veer about and then they were climbing in altitude.

Brenton smirked at the champion of the Empire and spat in disgust. If you are so strong ten what is stopping you from releasing yourself from your oaths and overthrow the king?

[Emiryal ♕]

Murtagh Morzansson | Empire's general and champion | Rider of Thorn

Thorn veered away from Brenton to avoid any possible attacks. For a brief moment it seemed they'd be left un attacked but certainly that would change quickly. "You of all people should understand that one Brenton," Murtagh snapped refusing to answer. Of course he and Thorn had tried to break free from Galbatorix's claim on them but he was powerful and unlike the elves they didn't have the advantage of knowing as much about true names. He looked up as Talon climbed in altitude and held out his hand towards them casting a spell. "Malthinae," he said in the ancient language to bind Talon's wings to her side. He put quite a bit of effort into the spell not wishing for it to fail. If he could bind her wings he needn't do anything more than let them fall. Hitting the ground from this height would surely do enough damage.

"What about you Brenton, let's see your power," he smirked as Thorn dove for the canopy of tree's below and set them ablaze. Deception and trickery were useful in battle, and if he got them busy putting out a forest fire, well all the easier it would be for their defeat.

Emiryal Nyteshaed | Heir of the Forsworn | Former Empire Rider | Rider of Firern

Firern flew parallel to Brenton and his dragon as Emiryal tended to his burned arm. It didn't take him to long to heal it, and he flexed his arm experimentally afterwards. "What's he--oh no," he said seeing the forest catch fire. If they fought Murtagh the fire would spread doing more damage. But if they fought the fire Murtagh could pick them off. He glanced at Brenton unsure what to do.