a world of nothing.

[Emiryal ♕]

Sand whipped up around Rakaio suddenly as a shadow fell over him. He closed his eyes and held up a hand to protect his face from the tiny specs of sand. Some how sand here found it's way into everything, his hair, his bedding, his food, everything. It was rather annoying but what could he do? They were in the desert after all. The sand stopped shortly after it had begun and fell back down. A shadow still covered Rakaio as he glanced at the large brown dragon that had landed near him, Entas. "Why do you insist on walking through this barren place. I could fly you through it in a matter of days. This is going to take weeks," she complained.

Rakaio smiled. "Perhaps but you know why I'm doing this. Back before we fled Alagsia before the fall of the riders this was a task given to us for our training. I was required to walk it on foot the whole way. I never finished it, but I want to finish it now," he said.

Entas sighed and laid down on the sand. "Last time you didn't make it because you almost died of heat stroke and I had to save you," she said watching as Rakaio pulled out some bread and dried fruits to eat. The brown dragon laid her head on the ground now curving her body slightly to form a semi-circle around her rider. She wasn't wearing a saddle or anything. Rakaio had insisted they leave her saddle behind and that he carry everything he needed. The result was quite a heavy pack for Rakaio to carry but he hadn't complained about it.

"Last time was different. We had only begun our training then and I made mistakes using to much of my power. The desert crossing is supposed to teach endurance and wisdom in using what few resources you have,"[/b] he said biting into a cream colored dried fruit, something similar to a banana. It was only mid-day but he had decided to stop for a rest. He had only just started this journey having left from Ellesmera and headed towards the dwarven mountains on the far side. By foot he was only two days into the desert.

"I know but you don't need to do it. You and I both know you can do it easily, you have far more power than you did back then. So why do it?" Entas asked. She trusted Rakaio with her life though she didn't understand his need to prove himself, not really. Sure they'd made mistakes but how was this going to help?

Rakaio swallowed the bite of bread he'd taken before answering. Not that it mattered since he was speaking with his mind only. But he did nonetheless. "The old leaders of the riders gave this training lesson for a reason. They were far wiser than I am, and there is always more I can learn. We need to head back to the dwarven mountains anyways back towards the citadel and there is no rush so I might as well try to learn something along the way," he said.

Entas sighed again letting a puff of smoke escape her. "Determined to the very end Rakaio...I guess that's why I picked you so long ago,"[/b] she said closing her eyes to rest as she enjoyed the warmth of the sun on her scales. Rakaio smiled at her before he continued to eat his meal. Theirs was a joining that should not have been possible, but Entas had made it possible.

[Brenton]

Castien calmly walked through the sand with a piece of cloth tied around his face to cover his mouth and nose so he wouldn't choke on any grains that happened to hit his face. The sun beat down on him but he continued forward knowing that it was only land to be crossed and that riders of old did it at one point so he could as well. The young elf walked a few more steps, saw a brown dragon, and stopped to rub his eyes briefly in shock. There couldn't be any way that these lands had a dragon in them that size anymore, not after Glaedr died with Oromis. It must be the heat playing tricks on his mind for him to see the dragon just laying there like it was nothing to be in the hottest place in Alagaesia.

Still to the west was another land where assassins lived and so maybe this was where that dragon was from and they knew not about Galbatorix or his killing everyone. It was possible but not very likely as most dragons were dead and there hadn't been any sighted near the Empire in years after the Fall of the Riders. Slowly Castien dropped his hand to his belt and drew his long sword with his right hand while his left was sheathed in the bladed gauntlet weapon.

He walked toward the dragon slowly an cautiously, eyes scanning for any danger, while his mind calculated all of his possible routes. If there were a rider it was likely he could take on that rider easily enough but not in magic yet if it were just the dragon then it would be wild and those were worse for they could kill in a heart beat without a second thought. Still Castien was a member of the royal family of the elves, descended down the line of course, and so he had sway with most people.

"This is not a land for the living to travel safely, why are you here?" While Cass's ears were hidden by his hair, his voice was melodic and his skin was fair so most anyone would be able to tell he was an elf. And any who knew the king of the elves would know the oak leaf insignia that was the royal crest emblazoned upon his tunic like a giant beacon saying here I am look at me.

Castien glared and then his eyes fell and he saw the rider there eating food which made him stop just slightly in his advance upon the dragon. Someone who was eating in his heat must be pretty confident in their skills and unafraid of the heat of the sun beating down upon their skin from above. Castien nodded ever so slightly and sheathed his sword but the gauntlet stayed on his left hand where it always was when he was walking outside the city. Even in the forest where it was supposed to be safe, it stayed.

[Emiryal ♕]

"Someone is coming," Entas informed Rakaio. The sounds were easy to pick up out here with hardly any other sounds to hide it. Plus the fact she was a dragon helped her hear it with near absolute clarity. She hadn't moved or opened her eyes.

"Let them come," Rakaio said. "It sounds like he drew a sword, he could be empire," Entas said. "Possibly but the Empire doesn't often send their own this far and we are still near Ellesmera. Let him come," he said. He made no move to retrieve his own blade that was leaned up against his pack or any other type of weapon for that matter, he just kept eating. He seemed plenty calm but Entas wasn't quite so calm. She opened her eyes and lifted her head to look at the man who approached them. She watched him warily not sure of his intentions. She easily spotted the crest on his tunic, he wasn't empire but he had drawn his sword which kept her on edge.

Rakaio didn't get up or move as Castien spoke. He just set down the bread he was eating and turned slightly to look at him. In some ways they looked similar, after all Rakaio had been human but decades with Entas made him much more elven looking, though a slight exotic quality remained on him. He was part grey folk descendant as well something the bond with his dragon had never diminished though his human looks had.

"Welcome friend," he said in the ancient language, just a friendly greeting indicating he meant Castien no harm. "No, this is not an easy land to travel," he said now standing up and walking towards Castien. "I'm Rakaio, my dragon Entas and I travel back to our home in the dwarven mountains. You are of King Brenton's house, did he send you after me?" While his relation to the elves was somewhat neutral it had grown to more friendly terms lately. Seeing anyone out in the desert was unexpected but an elf and one of Brenton's house was truely surprising. The most obvious reason that came to mind was Brenton had sent this man as a messenger to find them and relay something.

"Fates are never that certain Rakaio," Entas said hearing her rider's thoughts. Castien could be here for any reason really however obvious a role as a messenger might be. The great brown dragon watched but said nothing to the stranger instead allowing her rider to speak for her. "My apologies, business or not I'm sure you've traveled a ways, would you care for some food?" he offered indicating where he had been sitting earlier and his pack and sword lay. He didn't have much food but he could spare some and still have enough to reach the far side of the desert on foot. Though if he didn't and ran out he was sure Entas would tease him once more about having to save him from the desert a second time.

[Brenton]

Castien looked at the brown dragon that looked at him right before the rider stood up and walked towards him, commenting on the house of Brenton. It was a common thing to be associated with the king when he wore the crest but he didn't realize that this rider was from Ellesmera which brought him up short, but only just briefly. Adopting a bored and all knowing tone, Castien let his gaze slide to the horizon and then the other way. "I am of the house of Brenton who is of the house of Islanzadi who is my grandmother. My uncle is the king but he is not who I am and I do not take orders from him unless he seeks me out directly and as I see it, this is my life so I can do as I please. Besides, this land is large but I'm going to cross it on foot and rest for a few weeks before returning to Ellesmera."

Castien looked at the bag where the food was at and then at his own bag where he had his own food which he had made sure was more than enough for a two month journey in case he was gone for that long. He opened the bag and pulled out a dried fruit that he took a small bite out of after pulling the cloth down to reveal a rather dashing smile. It was this smile that often times got him in trouble because he was able to charm girls with it just with one look at the curve of his lips and the way the lips formed his words when he sang.

[Emiryal ♕]

Rakaio shared a quick glance at Entas as Castien spoke. Castien seemed quickly defensive in declaring himself as his own person, though in one so young it kind of was a more common thought among them. But avoiding that it was apparent he was not sent by Brenton. In a way Rakaio was glad, he hoped all was well for the King and messages to him would usually mean that wasn't true. "You should speak with more respect to those who are your elders," he said, it wasn't an order or command but just a statement. "I hope your Uncle bodes well then, these are troubled times and I'm sure he would not want harm to come to you. If you intend to journey for a while here, you are welcome to join with me," he said.

Castien's smile had no effect on Rakaio, if anything it made him want to roll his eyes. The youth was clearly full of himself and probably was used to always getting his own way. He retreated to his own supplies and picked up the remainder of his meal and popped another piece of dried fruit into his mouth. Entas seemed amused not taking her eyes off the youth. While he was naive, she found him interesting, even cute. To her it was like watching a baby foal stumble about trying to walk for the first time thinking it was the best at walking. She lifted her wing up and arched it over them so it touched the sand at the far end, giving them shade from the brutal sun. Rakaio smiled at her thoughts. "Entas thinks your cute," he conveyed sounding amused but knowing better than to elaborate with her metaphor. Entas didn't seem to mind him saying so, but she had yet to speak to the boy directly herself.

[Brenton]

Castien actually rolled his gold eyes skyward at the statement of respecting his elders but ate one more bite of fruit before stopping to conserve food. He took a small mouthful of water and held it in his mouth to soak his tongue and mouth before swallowing and letting the cool liquid soak his throat. This was one person he would respect only after he had gotten to know him and could tell if he was worth respect in the least bit. Castien looked over at the brown dragon in shock though when he heard that she thought he was cute and wondered what exactly that meant.

Slowly he mulled over every detail that he had gathered so far in the conversation and let it all sink in just before he smirked and bowed ever so slightly to the rider. The motion was conceited and showed just how full of himself, Castien really was, but he wanted to feign respect. Yet the words that came from his mouth dispelled any thoughts of respect as they dripped heavily with sarcasm and false idolization.

"My apologies, Master Rider, I did not mean to be disrespectful to one as powerful as you and was only expressing that I am not my uncle and should not be recognized by his name. If anything my cousin Drayden is more like me for he was given recognition only because of who he was related to and who he was around."

Castien thought some more on the idea of the dragon thinking he was cute and then he adopted a more sincere note to his voice and spoke in the Ancient Language. "Entas-elda, I am not completely certain but that comment sounds like you think of my actions as that of a youngling who thinks they are better than their elders. Forgive me if I gave this impression to you for I was not trying to belittle a being as majestic as yourself."

The words weren't what tasted bitter exactly when Castien spoke to Entas but it was the way he said them, with respect that he actually meant because he respected all dragons who were against the Empire. Still he was unused to actually being sincere when he spoke to someone and so it made him wince slightly as he finished but he covered the look quickly and looked blankly at back at the rider, Rakaio.

[Emiryal ♕]

It was clear the boy's words and actions were insincere, maybe even a bit exaggerated in the sarcasm. Rakaio ignored it pretending not to notice, like he would ignore a child doing something wrong. Instead he acted as though it was sincere. "We all make our own paths, I in turn meant no disrespect in the connection to your uncle. Believe me, I know what it's like to be connected to something you'd rather not be known by," he said a slight sad tone in his voice. He'd been tied not to a person but a prophecy that he'd made come true, in it he'd destroyed his home town and everyone in it. While that story was only a myth now as it was centuries old it was still as fresh to him as if it had been yesterday. "You seem determined though, with that I'm sure you'll soon make a name for yourself that others will use instead of House of Brenton." The rider put the remains of the food back in his pack and sat down by Entas, leaning against her massive forleg.

Something like a light short laugh came from Entas as Castien spoke. And for the first time since he had come she reached out to speak with him directly. "Indeed, you are but a youngling to me. It is rather...refreshing though. You are wild and untamed, rough. Time is the master teacher though, and you are a promising student to time," she said. Despite his disrespect and what he'd said to her rider, she quite liked him. In a way it amused her. Often Rakaio and Terra were her only companions and both of them were old beyond even the elves.

[Brenton]

Castien looked at the rider with a slight flicker of respect before it disappeared and he turned to his bag to pull out a small bundle of oilskin and a dagger. With deft motions he unwrapped the parcel and inside was a piece of white ash already half carved into what looked like a small pedestal and two large wings spread in flight. On the rest of the wood was just some shavings taken off here and there but with practiced strokes, Castien began to carve more from the wood and soon the shape of two clawed feet were appearing at the back with a tail wrapped around. He worked his way up, his eyes taking in every minute detail until he had the hind legs carved and was working on the forelegs that also ended in clawed feet but were raised in the air.

"My name's Castien by the way. As you know I'm of the House of Brenton but only through descendant from Islanzadi and I have come to realize that one as old as you who can keep from reacting to my constant goading is very wise. I respect you, Rakaio-elda, for being able to stand my remarks no matter how rude they may be. That shows a true elder and someone who has learned through time as Entas said but I do not understand why you ignore my remarks when you could just as easily reprimand me and then let it drop.

As Castien spoke he rewrapped the oilcloth and put the half carved figurine into his bag where he could get to it easily. There were several others that he would start, all of them being similar but different at the same time. Next Castien put the dagger into the sack and set it aside so he could pay attention to the conversation, brushing his hair from his eyes and looking at Rakaio for an answer.

[Emiryal ♕]

Rakaio said nothing as Castien carved, he watched him somewhat curious in what he was making. Most elves could do the job quickly with magic, but it was much more rewarding to do it by other means. There was nothing quite like putting real effort into it and being proud of the accomplishment. He smiled as the boy spoke, it seemed there was some hope for him yet if he recognized it. There were those who did not recognize their arrogance until it was too late or not until much later in life when much had already passed them by. "He's still cute," Entas insisted still seeing him as a youngling. The fact was he still was arrogant to some degree, Rakaio had just broken through at least for now it seemed.

"Would you have preferred I reacted and reprimanded you? I doubt you would've listened or gain any respect for me if I had done that," he said still leaning against his dragon. "I have learned much through time...I've had more time than most that deserved it more than I. I try not to let my emotions drive me, if I reprimanded you I would've given in to my emotions on the matter. I made that mistake before, twice with disastrous results...I should've died along side my friends during the fall of the riders." It was a sore subject but one he knew he couldn't ignore, for the rest of his life he'd have to live with it, he couldn't run from it and he wasn't going to make the same mistake again however minor in comparison. Entas was as equally as guilty as he on one of those two mistakes and her silence on it showed her reluctance to remember it.

[Brenton]

Silence, even in the Hadarac, was the specialty of an assassin who had trained in this area for so many years like Szven'Xoc had. He was only 5 feet and 8 inches tall but the way he carried himself showed that this man was not someone to mess with and right now he was the leader and ruler of Aragrael City. Szven'Xoc hated all that was Alagaesia and that included her population such as dwarves, elves, humans, dragons, and such. Just in front of him were three of those races lounging in the sand and he was the only one who could sneak up on a guard and take the man's shirt from under his armor without him realizing anything was there. This was child's play really so the king pulled out the shortened piece of steel and crept steadily closer before dropping to the ground with his sand colored camouflage cloak gathered over his entire body to cover him and hide him. Instantly he remained still but kept his eye on the group while they discussed their tactics for whatever they were going to do.

"If you had reprimanded me I probably would have rolled my eyes and increased my efforts to goad you because it was getting a response from you. Yet I am young so I have yet to learn all of these things that you speak of learning and that is why I would have done what I would have. So, Rakaio-elda, how do you know my uncle, King Brenton?" Castien spoke to Rakaio in a normal tone because he didn't think anyone was near enough to hear him.